Novak Djokovic sends warning to Carlos Alcaraz and co – ‘It’s a strong message to future opponents’

Novak Djokovic believes his comeback victory over Laslo Djere at the US Open will send a “strong message to the rest of the field”.

The 23-time Grand Slam winner had to go the distance against Djere in the third round on Friday with the match finishing in the early hours of Saturday morning in New York.

After losing the opening two sets, Djokovic got his act together and eventually emerged with a 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 win in three hours and 45 minutes.

The victory was a massive confidence booster for the 36-year-old, who lost his most recent five-setter against Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final at the beginning of July.

And he made it clear to the rest of the pack that he is ready for all-comers for the remainder of the tournament be it early in the day or late at night.

“Winning a match is always better than losing a match,” the three-time Flushing Meadows champion said. “It’s as simple as that. I think the message is sent to the rest of the field that obviously I’m still able to play five sets deep at night.

“Coming from two sets down always sends a strong message to the future opponents,” he continued. “At the same time I’m not really wanting to be in this position, to be honest. I prefer a straight-set win. Hopefully I can get back on that track in the next match.”

Asked about his next opponent Borno Gojo, the 25-year-old qualifier from Croatia, during his on-court interview, he replied: “To be honest, I don’t really care who I play next.

“I really don’t care because what I care about right now is just to sleep, recover and recuperarate this 36-year-old body.”

Djokovic has a far easier path to the final than reigning US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz. If the Serbian gets past Gojo then he is projected to meet ninth seed Taylor Fritz in the quarter-final while he could meet one of Tommy Paul, Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe and Ricky Hijikata in the semi-final.

Alcaraz, meanwhile, faces Daniel Evans in the third round and if he comes through that clash then he could meet 16th seed Cameron Norrie before a likely encounter against fellow young gun Jannik Sinner. However, sixth seed Sinner will need to get past former champion Stan Wawrinka first while he could face Alexander Zverev in the quarter-final.

And for good measure, should Alcaraz reach the semi-final then 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev is likely to await.

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