Djokovic Criticizes His Serve Despite US Open Victory Over Djere
Novak Djokovic is through to the third round of the 2024 US Open, but his post-match comments are making headlines just as much as his victory. Djokovic advanced after leading fellow Serbian Laslo Djere 6-4, 6-4, 2-0 when Djere retired from their second-round match due to injury. Despite this solid performance, Djokovic was quick to express dissatisfaction with his own game, particularly his serve.
The match, held under the roof of Arthur Ashe Stadium, unfolded with a mix of tension and drama. Djokovic, wearing a sleeve over his surgically repaired right knee, was dominant in the early sets. He took the first set after an hour of play and managed to break Djere’s serve late in the second set, despite Djere’s early lead. However, the match took a turn when Djere seemed to struggle with a lower abdominal injury. This injury was exacerbated by a medical timeout, and despite his best efforts, Djere had to retire after just over two hours of play.
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While Djokovic’s path to the third round seemed smooth on paper, he was candid about his performance, particularly his serve. “It’s not what we want,” Djokovic said, referring to the walkover. “It’s not what the crowd wants to see. He obviously had an injury that took him out of the tour for some time, and he is struggling to come back physically to this level. He’s such a good player, especially in these conditions. It should’ve been his second set, honestly. It was 4-2, 15-40.”
Djokovic's frustration stemmed from what he described as an “awful” serve. “Overall, it was a big fight. Over two hours for two sets. I served awful. So playing without the serve, you have to grind, you have to run. So I guess I had to rely on my baseline game,” he admitted. This self-critique highlights Djokovic’s high standards and his focus on improving every aspect of his game, even as he seeks to secure a record 25th Grand Slam singles title.
Looking ahead, Djokovic will face Australian Alexei Popyrin in the third round. Popyrin advanced by defeating Spain’s Pedro MartÃnez in straight sets. Djokovic’s victory against Djere also marks his 90th win at the US Open, making him the first man in history to achieve 90 or more victories at each of the four Grand Slam tournaments. His consistent performance at Flushing Meadows continues his impressive record, having reached at least the third round in all 18 of his US Open appearances.
The evening’s action also saw defending champion Coco Gauff advance to the third round with a convincing win over Tatjana Maria. Gauff’s performance was marked by adjustments after a challenging first set, leading to a dominant second set. The young American will face Elina Svitolina next, a player known for her strong all-court game.
As the US Open progresses, Djokovic’s quest for another major title continues, with each match bringing him closer to cementing his legacy in tennis history.
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