Absence makes the guts develop fonder.
Novak Djokovic made quick work of his first-round conflict in opposition to Alexandre Muller on Monday on the US Open, the place the second seed raced to a 95-minute victory in his first match on the hard-court main since 2021. On the floor it appeared a routine opening triumph for the 23-time Grand Slam champion, however Djokovic later acknowledged there was one thing completely different about his 6-0, 6-2, 6-3 win on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“I used to be excited to exit on the court docket,” stated the 36-year-old in his post-match press convention. “I did not care if I began after midnight as a result of I used to be wanting ahead to this second for few years, to be out on the most important stadium in our sport, the loudest stadium in our sport, taking part in an evening session.
“It was an ideal pleasure to be stepping out on the court docket. I believe the efficiency explains how I felt tonight, notably within the first two units. It was form of lights-out tennis actually, virtually flawless, an ideal first set.”
Djokovic fired 32 winners and transformed eight of 13 break factors he earned in his maiden Lexus ATP Head2Head assembly with the World No. 84 Muller. It was a continuation of the high-quality type the Serbian confirmed in Cincinnati, the place he lifted his record-extending thirty ninth ATP Masters 1000 crown eight days in the past on the Western & Southern Open.
“I in all probability had the reply for each shot he had in his e book,” stated Djokovic. “General, I am very, very happy with the way in which I really feel, with the way in which I am taking part in. Hopefully I can keep that degree. It is only the start of the match, however I already like the extent of tennis.”
Not messing round 😎@usopen | #USOpen | @DjokerNole pic.twitter.com/juK16AKGjV
— ATP Tour (@atptour) August 29, 2023
Previous to Monday, Djokovic’s most up-to-date outing on Arthur Ashe Stadium was the 2021 championship match in opposition to Daniil Medvedev, who denied the Serbian a historic calendar-year Grand Slam with a straight-sets victory. Nonetheless, the frustration of that loss has accomplished little to mood Djokovic’s affection for a court docket on which he has appeared in a document 9 US Open males’s singles finals and lifted the trophy thrice.
“It’s the largest stadium we have now in tennis. This court docket has seen a lot historical past and so many battles,” stated Djokovic. “Everybody is aware of in tennis that evening periods at Arthur Ashe undoubtedly are probably the most thrilling, enjoyable, loud, energetic periods you may have on the market on the tennis world.
“It is the dimensions. It is the echo due to the roof development. It is every little thing mixed. Simply folks, New Yorkers, love their tennis. They do not care in the event that they keep up very late, post-midnight, as a result of they get excited.
“I find it irresistible. It is nice as a result of each Grand Slam has its personal appeal in a means. Evaluating to, for instance, Wimbledon, it is a full distinction. In Wimbledon it is completely different than right here. Right here is all about leisure, enjoyable, good vitality, good vibes.
“In the event you can feed on that, you may have numerous enjoyable.”
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