Novak Djokovic’s former coach makes US Open prediction and delivers an ominous warning
Novak Djokovic’s former coach Goran Ivanisevic has expressed his wish for the great Serbian to win a 25th Grand Slam title and claimed his Olympic gold medal will “lift him.”
The former world No 2 argued “nobody can touch” Djokovic when he performs at his best and assessed that the 37-year-old will be the US Open title favourite if motivated.
Djokovic claimed his 99th career singles title at the 2024 Paris Olympics by downing Carlos Alcaraz in 7-6(3), 7-6(2) in a pulsating final to secure his first gold medal.
The world No 2 had not won a title since his triumph at the 2023 ATP Finals in November and reached his only previous final of 2024 at Wimbledon last month, where he was convincingly beaten by Alcaraz.
Djokovic won three Grand Slam titles during an outstanding 2023 campaign to take his major tally to a men’s record total of 24. He overtook Rafael Nadal, who now sits second on the all-time men’s list with 22, while Roger Federer occupies third spot on 20.
The Serbian will be looking to extend his lead by winning the US Open, which will get underway on August 26. Djokovic is the defending champion at Flushing Meadows and is a four-time winner at the New York Grand Slam.
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Following Djokovic’s Olympics victory, Ivanisevic expressed his joy at the Serbian’s emotional achievement and lauded the former world No 1.
“This is just incredible, it was written somewhere that it had to happen like this,” the Croatian told Tennis Majors.
“First trophy this season – Olympic gold! This scenario is the best, the sweetest. Injury, surgery, bad Wimbledon final, but on Sunday we saw what will and desire can make you do. When Novak plays the way he can, he is the best in the world, nobody can touch him.
“We spoke about it (winning an Olympic gold) so many times, it was one of my greatest wishes for him, he wanted it badly and that’s why it was so emotional for everyone.
“Fascinating. It is an amazing switch he was able to make in his mind, Wimbledon was only two-three weeks ago.
“The will, the desire, the strength… Alcaraz is 16 years younger, hits harder and is quicker, but Novak made it look like Carlos isn’t younger, quicker and doesn’t hit harder.”
The 2001 Wimbledon winner, who coached Djokovic from June 2019 to March this year, went on to back him to be “the man to beat” at the year’s fourth and final major.
“I am so glad that he finally won this gold,” Ivanisevic added. “I wish him 25th Slam, to break the absolute record, and then he can retire, although he will never retire, this guy.
“I think he can find the motivation, the gold will lift him. If he plays like this, he is the man to beat at the US Open.
“At Wimbledon, it was a miracle that he even played, let alone reached the finals, but we never know if something similar to this year’s Australian Open can happen.
“Against [Jannik] Sinner there, he didn’t show up – we don’t have a crystal ball, but if he is motivated like here, he will be the favourite in New York.”
