Novak Djokovic confesses he ‘hopes to never recover’ from Olympics feelings at US Open
Novak Djokovic has declared he hopes “to never recover” from winning an Olympic gold medal because it brought “the best set of feelings” he ever experienced as an athlete.”
The Serbian legend expressed his hope to use his triumph at the Olympics as “a great confidence boost” for his campaign at the 2024 US Open.
Djokovic has described securing his maiden Olympic gold medal at the 2024 Paris Games as the “greatest achievement and greatest highlight” of his career.
The 37-year-old, who was playing his fifth Olympics, delivered one of his finest performances to down Carlos Alcaraz in an enthralling final at Stade Roland Garros earlier this month.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion cruised past Radu Albot 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 in the opening round at the US Open in his first match since the Paris gold medal match.
Djokovic is looking to claim a record-equalling fifth men’s title at Flushing Meadows, where he is the defending champion.
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In an interview with Eurosport at the US Open, Djokovic revealed he hopes the sensations from what he achieved in Paris never fade.
“I hope to never recover from that (winning the Olympics), because it’s the best set of feelings that I ever had as an athlete,” said the Serbian.
“On the court but also off, when we went back to celebrate with our people, all of the Serbian Olympians that managed to win a medal.
“It was a very unique moment for me. I’ll never forget it and I’ll try to use it as a great confidence boost for what’s coming up in New York in the next few weeks.
“I haven’t had much time to recover or much time to train. I tried to get the most out of the few weeks that I had.
“I had more [time] than all the other guys that played the tournaments, but that was a conscious decision that I made not to have any lead-up tournaments to the US Open because I just felt that the calendar is too congested this year with the Olympics.
“I needed my break, short but sweet, celebration, family quality time and then of course [I] started my training and trying to build my body, build my form for the start of the tournament.
“[I’m] still looking for the level of tennis. Day after day it’s been increasing but I know once the tournament starts I’ll get the engines going and hoping that I can reach my best level.”
Djokovic will face fellow Serb Laslo Djere in the second round of the US Open after the world No 109 overcame Jan-Lennard Struff in five sets.
It will be a rematch of the third round match at the New York major last year when Djokovic came back from two sets down to prevail.
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