Novak Djokovic on US Open crowd: 'I want to reconnect'

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With three titles from nine finals, Novak Djokovic is among the most decorated players in the US Open history. Novak lost the 2021 final to Daniil Medvedev, missing a chance to achieve an elusive calendar Grand Slam but connecting with the crowd like never before. Despite winning so many thrilling matches there, the crowd on the Arthur Ashe Stadium has almost always been against Novak, and it all changed two years ago. Djokovic felt that energy and cried after the match, unable to hide his emotions after one of the toughest losses of his career. Novak hopes to return to New York this year after missing the season's last Major in 2022. A 22-time Major winner wants to reconnect with the crowd, waiting for positive news about his USA entrance. As we already said, Djokovic lost the 2021 US Open final to Medvedev, with the Russian scoring a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 victory for his first Major crown. Novak had won 27 straight matches at Majors before that clash, seeking an elusive calendar Grand Slam and his 21st Major trophy.

Instead, he cracked under pressure and lost in straight sets. The Russian hit 38 winners and 31 unforced errors to leave the Serb behind and produced bold and aggressive tennis to outplay Novak and achieve a career-best victory. Medvedev claimed the opening two sets with two breaks and earned a couple in the third to cross the finish line and join tennis immortals. Daniil barely lost a point on serve in the opener and grabbed a break in the first game for an instant lead. Medvedev managed his games superbly and held in the tenth for 6-4 and a boost. Losing the opener in five consecutive matches that year in New York, Djokovic wasted five break chances at the beginning of the second set and had to seize one of those badly if he wanted to get back on track.

Novak Djokovic would love to compete at this year's US Open.

Instead, Daniil broke at 2-2 and produced three fine holds to forge a 6-4, 6-4 advantage and move closer to the finish line. With nothing working his way, Djokovic experienced breaks in games one and three in the third set to find himself 4-0 down, drifting miles away from the desired title. Making one last push, Novak saved a match point in the eighth game and scored his first break to reduce the deficit and extend his chances. The Serb held in game nine to move 4-5 behind before Daniil sealed the deal with a hold at 30 a few minutes later, seizing the third match point and lifting his first Major trophy.

"I want to compete at the US Open. I lost the 2021 final to Daniil Medvedev, but I had one of my best-ever moments with the New York crowd. I have been fortunate to win the US Open three times and play in many more finals. Even though I lost against Daniil, I received a lot of love and appreciation from people; I want to return and reconnect with the crowd. I'm looking forward to that, and hopefully, it will happen this summer," Novak Djokovic said.  

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/AiLxDoZ

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