‘It’s insane Novak Djokovic hasn’t won more US Open titles’, says Brad Gilbert
Renowned coach Brad Gilbert believes it is “insane” 23-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic has not won more titles at the US Open in his career.
Gilbert, current coach of world No 6 Coco Gauff, highlighted the fact he feels the US Open is the toughest major to win physically as a reason for Djokovic’s record.
The Serbian great has won three titles at Flushing Meadows, in 2011, 2015 and 2018, while also having lost in the final on six occasions. This makes it his worst major in terms of final win percentage (33%) and number of finals lost.
While Djokovic’s Open Era record of nine final appearances is a fantastic feat, it is somewhat surprising he has not converted more into titles given his hard-court prowess. At the Australian Open – the other hard-court Grand Slam – Djokovic holds an astonishing 10-0 ratio in finals.
The 36-year-old will face 20-year-old American Ben Shelton in the semi-finals of the 2023 US Open on Friday as he looks to add another final appearance to his tally.
In an interview with USOpen.org, Gilbert expressed his surprise that Djokovic had not won more in New York but stressed he still has time.
“It’s insane. This is, to me, the toughest physical Slam to win. You have everything here, from extreme hot weather to it used to be way more windy in the stadium,” assessed the former world No 4, who previously coached Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick and Andy Murray.
“This is a surface that kind of lends itself – if you’re a great player, you’re great on this surface. His story is not finished being written.”
Brad Stine, coach of world No 14 Tommy Paul and a former coach of four-time Slam winner Jim Courier, also gave his thoughts.
“I don’t think it’s anything that you can really pinpoint specifically. You’re trying to solve a riddle that’s maybe unsolvable,” said the American.
In his pre-tournament press conference, Djokovic addressed the fact no male player has defended the US Open since 2008, and his own record at the event.
“Well, I actually lost more finals here than I won in my career. My score in the finals of US Open is the worst of all slams I think. There’s some very close finals that I lost, some that I won. But generally I think the consistency of results here has been pretty good,” said the Serbian.
“I mean, I’ve played most of my US Open editions at least quarterfinals or better throughout the last 15 years. It could be the fact that it’s in the end of the season in a way. End of the Grand Slam season. It’s the last Grand Slam of the year. It’s been eight tough months of tennis for all the players.
“Maybe that’s the reason why you would probably see more surprises in this Grand Slam than maybe some other Slams. That’s the only thing that really comes to my mind. Yeah, nothing else.”
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