Novak Djokovic is right to participate in the US Open

Novak Djokovic announced earlier today that he would participate in both the Western & Southern Open and the US Open.

Djokovic, in a statement on social media, said, “I am happy to confirm that I will participate at the Cincinnati and US Open this year. It was not an easy decision to make with all the obstacles and challenges on many sides, but the prospect of competing again makes me really excited.” He further confirmed that he had done all the necessary checkups to make sure he has fully recovered after contracting COVID-19 earlier this year.

Djokovic’s participation will come as a massive boost for the USTA as former champions Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Stan Wawrinka have already opted not to play in New York. On the women’s side, World No 1 Ash Barty has decided not to play while 23-time Major Champion Serena Williams is in the mix, hoping to tie Margaret Court’s record of 24 grand slams.

Djokovic is right to participate in the US Open. It’s played on his favored surface, which is hard courts. While his record in Australia is undoubtedly better, Djokovic has done very well in the US, with three titles and five finals. His record of 11 consecutive semifinals from 2007-18 in the US Open is only second to Jimmy Connors’s 12 from 1974-85. With defending champion Rafael Nadal out of the tournament, Djokovic goes in as the heavy favorite to win his 18th grand slam title.

It might not be all smooth sailing for the Serbian. World No 3 Dominic Thiem looked in excellent touch in the exhibition tournaments earlier this year. Thiem also pushed Djokovic to 5 sets in the Australian Open final—The first time Djokovic had been taken to 5 sets in a Grand slam final in Australia since the famous 2012 final. It will be the first grand slam of his career in which both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will not be playing. Djokovic has long maintained that his motivation stems from being pushed to compete at his best by his two biggest rivals. In the absence of the two legends, complacency might become a factor for Djokovic.

Djokovic is also aiming to cross Roger Federer’s record of 310 weeks as World No 1, currently holding a slim lead over World No 2 Rafael Nadal. He will look to extend that lead in “Cincinnati” and the US Open. Djokovic now has 282 weeks as World No 1. A good result in the US Open will secure his top spot, and he will hope to equal Pete Sampras’s record of six Year-End No 1.

The gains are aplenty for Novak Djokovic. Time might not be on his side, even though he has looked as ageless as his two other legendary compatriots. Djokovic’s decision to play is in his best interests.