Novak Djokovic was happy with his start at the US Open on Monday but is aware there is improvement to make. The defending champion was playing his first hard-court match since March in Indian Wells but looked comfortable in New York en route to a straight-sets win against Radu Albot.
“I think it was a solid start,” Djokovic said. "I struggled with my serve and the rhythm on certain shots. Overall from the back of the court I thought I played pretty well. It's always challenging to start, particularly when you haven't played on this surface for five, six months and coming off an Olympic gold and playing on clay. I haven't had any official matches before [the] US Open. So I'm expecting to be probably challenged a little bit more in the opening rounds.
“Hopefully I can play better each day. The good thing about Slams is you have a day between matches where you can train, where you can really work on things and perfect your game. That's what I need. That's what I feel like I need. So I'm going to hit the practice courts [on Tuesday] and work on things that haven't really worked during the match and keep striving to be better.”
[ATP APP]The Serbian underwent knee surgery following Roland Garros in June but returned in time to reach the final of Wimbledon before he won Olympic gold in singles at the Paris Olympics. The 37-year-old, who is chasing a record-extending 25th major, confirmed he is feeling physically strong.
“The knee is fine really,” Djokovic said. “I haven't had any issues throughout the entire Olympic tournament and here first round.”
On a busy Day 1 in New York, the former No. 3 player in the PIF ATP Rankings Dominic Thiem played the final major match of his career. The Austrian, who won the US Open in 2020, enjoyed an enthralling Lexus ATP Head2Head rivalry with the Serbian.
“I would like to congratulate him on a great Grand Slam career,” said Djokovic, who leads Thiem 7-5 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series. “Just one of the nicest guys on the Tour for many years. He's been respected. He's been admired. He's been loved by his peers, by colleagues, by everyone on the Tour.
"He put in so much work over the years and I think he was a great example for many players that see what's happening, so to say, behind the scenes. He always puts in the extra work, and the tenacity and intensity that he brings on and off the court in everything he does is something really remarkable.”
The seven-time Nitto ATP Finals champion Djokovic will play Laslo Djere in the second round in New York on Wednesday.
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