Novak Djokovic has kicked off his bid for a 24th Grand Slam title at the US Open with a clinical first round victory.
The second seed stormed to a 6-0, 6-2, 6-3, win over France’s Alexandre Muller in a late-night match that didn’t end until the early hours. It is the 67th time in a row that the Serbian has won his opening match at a Grand Slam event which is the longest-ever streak by a male player in the Open Era. He is 17-0 in US Open first round encounters.
“The first set I started tremendously well off the box,” Djokovic said during his on-court interview. “We started quite late. Obviously, there was a ceremony between matches and I knew that we might have a late start, but nevertheless I was excited to come out on the court. It’s been a couple of years, and to come out here in front of you guys is always an honour and a pleasure here on Arthur Ashe.”
Djokovic’s triumph has secured his return to world No.1 when the tournament ends. He is defending no points at the US Open after missing last year’s tournament due to not being vaccinated against COVID-19. At the time all foreign travelers to America had to be vaccinated against the virus under an emergency health law that was in place.
The first round match on Arthur Ashe didn’t begin until after 11pm local time. The evening session began with Coco Gauff outlasting Laura Siegemund in a roller-coaster that lasted almost three hours. Then a special ceremony took place on court in honor of Billie Jean King and the 50th anniversary of equal prize money for men and women at the US Open.
“I knew it was going to be a late night for me, late start of the match. Nevertheless, I mean, I was excited to go out on the court,” said Djokovic.
“I didn’t care if I started after midnight because I was looking forward to this moment for few years, to be out on the biggest stadium in our sport, the loudest stadium in our sport, playing night session.”
“Everyone knows in tennis that night sessions at Arthur Ashe definitely are the most exciting, fun, loud, energetic sessions you can have out there on the tennis world,” he added.
Delighted with his latest performance at Flushing Meadows, the 36-year-old said he played ‘lights-out tennis.’ Djokovic won 84% of his first service points, hit 32 winners and broke his opponent eight times.
“I think the performance explains how I felt tonight, particularly in the first two sets. It was kind of lights-out tennis really, almost flawless, perfect first set,” he said.
“I’ve probably had the answer for every shot he had in his book. Overall I’m very, very pleased with the way I feel, with the way I’m playing.
“Hopefully I can maintain that level. It’s just the beginning of the tournament, but I already like the level of tennis.”
Djokovic will next play Spain’s Bernabe Zapata Miralles who beat Ethan Quinn in his opening match. It will be their first Tour meeting.
