WATCH: Novak Djokovic the impersonator is back as Nick Kyrgios doffs his hat to the Djoker

Shahida Jacobs
Novak Djokovic during a match
Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic is well known for his impersonation of tennis players and he was back at it during a practice session ahead of the 2023 US Open.

Returning to Arthur Ashe Stadium for the first time since his 2021 US Open final defeat to Daniil Medvedev, Djokovic received a rousing welcome from spectators with many chanting “Novak, Novak, Novak!”

And the 23-time Grand Slam winner decided to treat them to one of his famous impersonation exhibitions, much to the delight of those in the stands and those on social media.

Former world No 1 and five-time Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova has always been one of Djokovic’s favourite go-to impersonations and she was first on the card and those in the stands approved with a warm applause.

The tennis great also reeled off impersonations of seven-time major champion John McEnroe and threw in his famous “you cannot be serious” quote for the added effects, his current coach and 2003 Wimbledon winner Goran Ivanisevic and 2022 Wimbledon runner-up Nick Kyrgios.

Australian Kyrgios was a big fan of the impersonation as he wrote on an Instagram Story: “Hahahahahaha this is actually funny.”

The Serbian will have another practice session on Arthur Ashe Stadium on Thursday and maybe he will pull another couple of impersonation specials out of his locker as he has done the likes of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in the past.

Novak Djokovic back at the US Open

In terms of actual tennis, Djokovic will be looking to win a record-extending 24th Grand Slam at this year’s US Open. He has already won the Australian Open and French Open in 2023 while he finished runner-up to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon.

His last trophy success at Flushing Meadows came in 2018 when he defeated Juan Martin del Potro in the final with his previous title in New York coming in 2011 and 2015. Besides 2021 when he missed out on a Calendar Grand Slam when he lost in the final to Medvedev, he also finished runner-up in 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2016.

He missed the 2022 edition due to the United States’ Covid-19 regulations as unvaccinated foreign nationals were not allowed to enter the country.

The Serbian is seeded second for the final Grand Slam of the year with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz taking the top billing.

READ MORE: Former Wimbledon champion on why Novak Djokovic will never be loved by tennis fans

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