Lindsay Davenport admits she was a bit stunned to see Novak Djokovic pick up a very US Open exit but warns that the Serb absolutely cannot be written off as she predicts that he could win two or three Grand Slams next year.
When the 37-year-old arrived in New York for the final Major of the year, it was his last chance at winning a Slam this year. But after Alexei Popyrin handed him a shock 6-4 6-4 2-6 6-4 loss in the third round, he went without a Major won in a single season for the first time since 2017.
But while Djokovic didn’t win his 25th Slam this year, he was able to do something that he had never done before – and that’s to collect his first Olympic gold medal and complete his resume.
“Of course I’m surprised he lost so early, but in a weird way, I’m happy for him. After everything he’s done, it hasn’t been easy for him to play another major tournament since mid-May. I really want him to rest well, to play whatever and however he wants until the end of the season. We keep forgetting that Novak is 37 years old, that he has been on tour for 20 years. He knows and feels it best. He needs time to enjoy, celebrate and then get ready for Australia. I believe that next year he can take two or three Grand Slams,” former world No. 1 Davenport told Sport Klub.
Novak Djokovic© YouTube screenshot
Davenport thinks Djokovic’s main goal has been accomplished
After suffering that shocking collapse in the Tokyo Olympic semifinal against Alexander Zverev and failing to become an Olympic champion, the Serbian tennis star appeared to be heartbroken and devastated like never before. And in the last couple of years, he spoke very openly about how important the Paris Olympics would be because he didn’t want to finish his career without a gold medal.
Following a win over Carlos Alcaraz in the Olympic final, Djokovic accomplished the biggest goal for the final part of his career after previously setting an all-time Slam record and breaking the record for the most weeks spent at the world No. 1 spot.
“Big, but that’s normal. I was delighted when he won the gold medal in Paris. If you had asked him if he wanted Olympic gold or all four Grand Slam tournaments, I am convinced he would have said gold. It is without a doubt the best moment in the world of tennis this year. He wanted it more than anyone else, more than anything in the world. And he did all this after the surgery and the lost final at Wimbledon. It just shows his greatness,” the American former three-time Major winner said.
Djokovic was disappointed but not surprised
Even though the defending champion started with a straight-set win over Radu Albot and was up by two sets when Laslo Djere retired their second-round match, he wasn’t particularly happy with his performances afterward. And after Popyrin sent him home, the former world No. 1 slammed his play in New York as some of “the worst tennis” that he ever delivered.
“The way I played from the beginning of the tournament reaching the third round is a success. I have played some of my worst tennis ever,” the four-time US Open champion admitted.
Novak Djokovic© YouTube screenshot
However, some came to Djokovic’s defense by arguing that he was coming off a very physically and mentally demanding win at the Paris Olympics and that it was extremely hard for him to quickly change surfaces and also mentally prepare himself for the final Major of the year. And the 37-year-old himself acknowledged that he didn’t arrive at Flushing Meadows feeling his best.
“I spent a lot of energy to win the gold medal at Paris Olympics and I came to New York not feeling fresh mentally and physically. I came not feeling fresh mentally or physically. Since it’s the US Open, I tried. I had no physical problems. I just felt out of gas. You could see it in the way I played from the beginning. From the first match I didn’t feel at all on this court. That’s all I can say. Life goes on. I’ll try to recalibrate and see what happens next,” the record 24-time Major winner said.
Meanwhile, Djokovic pulled out of next week’s Davis Cup action and won’t represent Serbia in their tie against Greece. Now, it is expected that the Serb’s next tournament will be the Shanghai Masters, which starts on October 2nd.
Djokovic’s schedule for the rest of the year will also very likely include the Paris Masters and ATP Finals.