New York, August 29, 2024 — Novak Djokovic’s progression to the third round of the US Open was met with a rare moment of self-criticism from the tennis legend. After his fellow Serbian, Laslo Djere, retired due to injury during their match, Djokovic didn’t mince words about his own performance, particularly targeting his serve, which he bluntly described as “awful.”
The match, which ended with Djokovic leading 6-4, 6-4, 2-0, was expected to be a tough test. Djere, who had pushed Djokovic to five sets in the same stage of the tournament last year, started strong and even led in the second set. However, an injury forced Djere to retire, giving Djokovic a walkover victory.
Despite the win, Djokovic was far from satisfied. “I served awful. Playing without the serve, you have to grind, you have to run,” he admitted. This self-critique was surprising, considering Djokovic’s reputation for being one of the most complete players in the history of the sport.
Djokovic’s comments highlight a concern that has been looming over his game in recent months. While his baseline play remains impeccable, his serve has shown signs of inconsistency, something that could be a critical factor as he chases a record 25th Grand Slam title. The pressure of defending his US Open title and surpassing Margaret Court’s all-time mark of 24 major championships adds to the weight on his shoulders.
The acknowledgment of his poor serving performance also reflects Djokovic’s relentless pursuit of perfection. At 37, he continues to set extraordinarily high standards for himself, understanding that any weakness could be exploited by opponents in the later rounds.
With his next match against Australia’s Alexei Popyrin on the horizon, Djokovic will undoubtedly be focused on improving his serve. As the competition intensifies, the Serbian star knows that he cannot afford to leave any part of his game vulnerable, especially in a tournament as grueling as the US Open.
The fact that Djokovic openly criticized his serve, even after a win, shows the mindset of a champion who is never complacent. It’s this drive for excellence that has kept him at the top of the game for over a decade, and it’s likely what will carry him through the challenges ahead in New York.
