Djokovic Prepared for US Open Amid Open Draw
Novak Djokovic says he is as prepared as possible for the US Open, aiming for a 25th major title in a field missing Jannik Sinner and with Carlos Alcaraz
Novak Djokovic says he is as prepared as he can be for the US Open, where he will pursue a 25th grand slam title. The 39-year-old Serb arrives in New York having played just one match since Wimbledon, an early loss in Cincinnati.
Djokovic sees a benefit in that defeat. It gave him time. "I don't like early losses anywhere, to be honest, but it gave me time to be prepared for US Open in a most adequate way," he said.
He explained he had two weeks to train and get his body and mind ready. "If you ask me if I’m prepared, I feel like I am as best as I can be," Djokovic stated, while noting the difference between practice and playing best-of-five sets on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The men's field is considered wide open. Key rivals are absent or returning from significant injuries. Jannik Sinner is missing due to injury. Carlos Alcaraz is competing for the first time in four and a half months after being sidelined with a right wrist problem.
Djokovic's recent grand slam consistency is notable. Over the past two years, only Alcaraz and Sinner have matched his level at the majors. He has reached the semi-finals or better in six of his last seven grand slam tournaments. Those two younger stars account for five of his defeats in that span, along with a retirement loss at last year's Australian Open.
Despite his high level, each tournament now presents physical challenges for the 39-year-old. A year is a long time at his age, even for Djokovic.
Rybakina Fit and Chasing No. 1
In the women's draw, Elena Rybakina has declared herself healthy for the US Open. The second seed and Australian Open champion is recovering from a foot injury that forced her to retire from the Cincinnati Open quarter-finals last week.
"I didn’t play for exactly a week, and we consulted with different doctors," Rybakina said. She described a recovery process involving the gym and a cautious return to the court. "It wasn't easy, because we didn't know exactly how the foot was gonna react," she added, noting it was painful to walk for a couple of days after Cincinnati.
Rybakina now has a golden opportunity. She begins the tournament at No. 1 in the live standings and can secure the top ranking permanently. She can only be overtaken if Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, or Jessica Pegula wins the title and Rybakina fails to reach the semi-finals. Sabalenka has held the No. 1 spot for 97 consecutive weeks.
Rybakina said she does not constantly check the ranking scenarios. "From the media mostly I know where I should get, how the others should play," she explained. Her current focus is on health.
"The most important thing is to just try to stay healthy, play one match at a time," she stated, acknowledging the US Open is not the last tournament of the year. She is trying not to think about the rankings and just play each match.
Her form had been improving before the injury. She reached the final of the Canadian Open and advanced to the quarter-finals in Cincinnati. Now, her process is going well, and she is glad with her recovery ahead of the final grand slam of the year.
Source: The Guardian