During the prelude to the dream semi-final in New York, Djokovic requests a dance.
Djokovic Chases 25th Grand Slam Title in US Open Semifinals
Novak Djokovic is on a mission to claim his 25th Grand Slam title, and he's not letting anyone stand in his way, not even the "Big Two," Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
The Serbian tennis star is well-acquainted with his semifinal opponent Alcaraz, having faced him in the 2024 Wimbledon final, which the Spaniard won. However, Djokovic leads the head-to-head against Alcaraz 5:3, having won their last two matches at the Australian Open and the 2024 Olympic Games in France.
Djokovic's journey to the semifinals of the US Open has been far from smooth. He started the tournament a bit shakily, but he's been steadily improving, as evidenced by his victory over Taylor Fritz in the quarterfinals with a score of 6:3, 7:5, 3:6, 6:4.
The match against Fritz was not without its drama. Djokovic saved a match point against Fritz with a double fault, showing his resilience and determination.
Djokovic has not won a Grand Slam title since his 24th title in New York, two years ago. He's been struggling not with a specific injury but with physical problems characterized by exhaustion, difficulty in recovery between points, and a general decrease in physical endurance. This decline in physical capacity, possibly related to age and recovery issues, has caused him to lose strength especially in five-set matches and has prevented him from advancing to finals despite reaching semifinals repeatedly.
Despite these challenges, Djokovic remains optimistic. "Let's wait and see. I don't feel fresh at the moment. Hopefully, I'm fit enough and playing well enough to keep up with Carlos," he said.
The match against Alcaraz will require a lot of running, and Djokovic is aware of this. He's been working hard to maintain his fitness levels, and he's been supported by his daughter Tara, who turned 8 on the day of the match. Djokovic dedicated his victory to Tara and even performed a little dance after the win, which he learned from her.
Djokovic requires treatment for neck, shoulder, and arm issues, but he's determined to push through. He's chasing his 25th Grand Slam title, which would make him the sole record holder ahead of Margaret Court.
The semifinal match against Alcaraz will be played on Friday for a place in the final. It promises to be an exciting match, and Djokovic will be hoping to turn the tables on his young rival and claim his 25th Grand Slam title.
