Not being the top seed at next week’s US Open could be a blessing in disguise for Novak Djokovic, according to former British No.1 Laura Robson.
Djokovic, who recently defeated Carlos Alcaraz to win the Cincinnati Masters, is seeking to win his third major title of the season in New York. It will be his 17th main draw appearance at the tournament which he has won on three separate occasions with the most recent of those occurring in 2018. Djokovic wasn’t unable to play at the US Open in 2022 as he wasn’t allowed to enter the country due to not being vaccinated against COVID-19.
In this year’s draw, the Serbian will be seeded second behind defending champion Carlos Alcaraz. The only player to have beaten him in a Grand Slam tournament so far this season. Whilst being the top seed has its perks, Robson believes Djokovic’s current position might help him.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the 29-year-old said more fans might decide to get behind Djokovic as he could be perceived as an ‘underdog’ compared to Alcaraz. Coincidentally the last time Djokovic played at the US Open where he wasn’t the top seed was in 2018 which was the last time he won the title.
“So often the crowd like to go against him for whatever reason and I thought it was nice in a way to see how emotional he was at Wimbledon or how frustrated he got because you don’t often see that from him and it just shows that he cares so much after winning so much in his life. Winning all there is to have won and yet it still matters this much to him. So I feel like maybe he won a couple people over that day,” said Robson.
“And maybe he might be almost a bit more of an underdog in New York and the New York fans love to get behind anyone who’s not winning, basically. So maybe things will come round for him. I can’t really see a reason to not like him, or at least to not enjoy his tennis and accept that actually, he is the best in the world.”
As for who Robson will be supporting, she has lent her backing behind Djokovic and his quest for a record 24 Grand Slam title. In the sports history, the only player to have won this many major events is Margaret Court who won 13 of her titles before the Open Era.
“I think I would like to see him get to 24. You know, the numbers are crazy, no matter which way you look at them,” Robson commented.
“The fact that he’s even competing for 24 is absurd, and I think it would be great for tennis to have him as a 24 time Grand Slam champion – there’s sort of no conversation left to be had about in terms of numbers, who is the greatest of all time.
“I can never see anyone replicating what he’s been able to do over his career. I’d like to see him get to 24, and I’d love to see a bit of a rivalry unfold with Alcaraz because they seem to bring out the best in each other.”
Djokovic heads into Flushing Meadows with a win-loss record of 38-5 and four titles to his name so far this season.
The US Open draw will take place on Thursday with the first round getting underway next Monday.
