Novak Djokovic reaches the semi-finals of the US Open for the eleventh time. The last Grand Slam of the year can probably be called the favourite tournament of the ex-Nummer-eins. In New York City, the Serb is close behind a record set by Jimmy Connors.
“The performances at this year’s US Open are “strenuous and brutal”. Novak Djokovic, who is not alone in his opinion, thinks so. Of course, temperatures around 40 degrees Celsius and a humidity close to 80 percent make playing tennis not exactly easier. But love hurts sometimes.
And there is a special connection between Djokovic and the tournament in Flushing Meadows. Romantics like to use the word love. Well, let’s call it love, the bond between the US Open Tennis Championships and Novak Djokovic.
To the right of the pulsating epicenter of life and hustle and bustle in Manhattan, Djokovic has already fought some explosive and above all successful duels at the USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center. 67 victories to be exact.
With his latest success at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the 31-year-old catapulted himself into the last four in New York City for the eleventh time in a row. With this milestone, the “Djoker” took the lead over his rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, who reached the semi-finals ten and seven times respectively. But what makes Djokovic so strong at this tournament?
Perhaps it is precisely the critical crowd in the audience that likes to honor Djokovic with booing after discussions with the referee. As in this year’s round of 16 against Joao Sousa, the Serb will answer with a sneering clap. Squabbles are also part of a healthy relationship. After the match point they always seem to be forgotten and Djokovic sends his warmest greetings to his fans in the stands.
The 13-time major winner wants to celebrate his famous post-match gesture twice more in the world’s largest tennis arena before he can hold the longed-for trophy in his hands. However, his outstanding statistics at the US Open are clouded by five defeats. As good as the “Djoker”‘s semi-final record is, however, so bad is his final yield. In seven finals, the otherwise ice-cold Serb suffered five defeats. Defeats that hurt. In the years 2007 to 2016 the name Novak Djokovic should be on the scoreboard of the final. In 2011 and 2015 he was granted victory.
To improve his statistics, the current Wimbledon winner Kei Nishikori has to get rid of him. The Japanese player had fought Marin Cilic of Croatia in five sets and underpinned his strong form in the ” Big Apple”.
In 2014, the Japanese and Serb were already in the semi-finals of the US Open and Nishikori celebrated one of the biggest victories of his career. Time for Djokovic to get his revenge. In general, the statistics speak for the Serbian, who leads with 14:2 in direct comparison. The last 14 duels were attributed to Djokovic, three this year alone (Madrid, Rome, Wimbledon).
A look into the future gives Djokovic the chance to set another record. The Golden Masters King is still lacking three more semi-final appearances in NYC to catch up with US open legend Jimmy Connors. As is well known, Gut Ding wants to have a while and the Serbian, who is strong again, can be expected to do a lot in the coming years. Rosy prospects for the liaison between Djokovic and the US Open.