5 milestones Novak Djokovic could achieve at the US Open 2024
Novak Djokovic will aim to win his first Major title of the season at the US Open 2024, which will begin from August 26. He crossed off a huge item from his checklist a few weeks ago. He finally claimed the elusive Olympic gold medal, the only thing that was missing from his vast list of achievements.
The Serb beat his younger rival Carlos Alcaraz in the gold medal play-off match at the Paris Olympics, and hasn't competed since then. He pulled out of the Canadian Open while the Olympics were going on, and later withdrew from the Cincinnati Open as well.
Djokovic is the defending champion at the US Open, and has a 88-13 career record at the venue. There's history on the line whenever he takes to the court, and it's no different this time. Here are a few milestones that he could achieve with a win at this year's US Open:
#1 - Novak Djokovic could win his 25th Major title to become the all-time leader in Grand Slam titles won
Djokovic currently holds the record for most Grand Slam titles won by a male player with 24. He shares the overall record with Margaret Court, who set the benchmark by winning her final Major crown at the US Open in 1973.
He was expected to snap this record in front of Court at this year's Australian Open. However, he was stunned by Jannik Sinner in the semifinals, his first defeat at that stage in Melbourne. His French Open campaign went sideways due to an injury, and he lost to Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final.
A win at this year's US Open would make him the sole record holder of this incredible feat. Court's record has stood for over half a century now, and if he were to break it, it's likely to stand the test of time for many more decades.
#2 - Win his 100th career title
A win at this year's US Open would not only guarantee Djokovic a 25th Major title but also the 100th of his career. Only two players are currently ahead of him in terms of titles won.
Jimmy Connors is in first place with 109 titles from 164 finals, and is followed by Roger Federer with 103 titles from 157 finals. Should the 37-year-old accomplish this feat in New York, he would've won his 100th title from his 141st final. Given his fitness, he'll certainly be eyeing to smash Connors' record as well in the future.
#3 - Defend the US Open for the first time
Djokovic has reached 10 finals each at the Australian Open and the US Open. While he managed to remain unbeaten in championship rounds Down Under, he didn't have the same luck in New York.
The Serb has four titles to his name here, and has never won back-to-back titles at the venue. He came quite close to defending his title on two occasions. Following his maiden triumph at the US Open in 2011, he made the final the next year but fell to Andy Murray.
Djokovic won his second US Open title in 2015, and reached the summit clash the following year as part of his title defence. However, he came up short against Stan Wawrinka, losing to him in four sets.
Winning a title is easy but defending one is more demanding. Having defended his titles at the Australian Open and Wimbledon on multiple occasions, he'll be eager to do the same here.
#4 - Become the oldest Grand Slam champion in singles
Should Djokovic win this year's US Open, he would become the oldest player to win a Major title in singles. Ken Rosewall currently holds this distinction, and was 37 years and two months old when he won the Australian Open in 1972.
The men's singles championship match will take place on Sunday, September 8. The Serb would be a little over 37 years and three months old if he lays his hands on the winner's trophy that day.
#5 - Tie Roger Federer, Jimmy Connors, and Pete Sampras' record of five titles at the US Open
Currently three men hold the Open Era record of most titles at the US Open with five, and Federer, Connors, and Sampras are those men. Richard Sears, William Larned, and Bill Tilden hold the overall record with seven titles.
Connors was the first to reach the milestone in the Open Era when he won his fifth title in New York in 1983. It was also his final Major title. Sampras tied his record when he captured his fifth title at the venue in 2002, and it would end up being his last professional appearance on the tour as well.
Federer joined their company by winning his fifth consecutive US Open title in 2008. He was gunning for a record sixth straight title in New York but was beaten by Juan Martin del Potro in the final in 2009. Djokovic now has a chance to join these illustrious men. He's currently tied with another rival of his, Rafael Nadal, with four titles at the US Open.