"Don't think Agassi, Sampras would hang out": Boris Becker highlights changing player dynamics as Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner bond ahead of US Open
Tennis legend Boris Becker reacted to a recent picture of Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner together in New York ahead of the 2024 US Open. The German said that it would have been unlikely for Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras to socialize before a tournament as Sinner and Djokovic did.
Djokovic will enter the US Open fresh off his gold medal win at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Serb took an extended break following the quadrennial event, skipping the lead-up tournaments before the year's final major, where he will aim for his 25th Grand Slam title.
Sinner, meanwhile, will be competing in Flushing Meadows after an impressive North American swing, reaching the quarterfinals of the Canadian Open and winning the Cincinnati Open.
Ahead of their US Open campaigns, Sinner and Djokovic were pictured together in New York. Both were smiling with a few stickers and pickleball rackets in front of them, however, it was unclear what they were up to. A fan shared their picture on X.
Six-time Grand Slam champion Boris Becker later reacted to the picture highlighting the change in dynamics among tennis players across generations. The 56-year-old added that it would have been unusual for him to socialize with his rivals like John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl, or Jimmy Connors ahead of a major.
Becker also joked that legends like Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras wouldn't have hung out with him days before a tournament.
"Nice picture! Imagine in my days hanging out with John, Ivan or Jimmy …impossible! Maybe with Stefan, Mats!? Don’t think Andre or Pete would hang out together (with me) few days before the Open starts!!! Different strokes for different folks!"
Jannik Sinner to start his US Open campaign against Mackenzie McDonald; Novak Djokovic will face Radu Albot in the first round
Jannik Sinner enters the US Open as the No. 1 seed and will begin his campaign against Mackenzie McDonald. Sinner has had the upper hand in their previous three encounters, winning all of them.
Jannik Sinner heads to Flushing Meadows with an impressive hard court record, having won 28 out of 30 matches this season. Additionally, he has claimed five tour titles on the surface, including the Miami Open, Australian Open, and Cincinnati Open, which makes him one of the favorites to win the title in New York.
Defending champion Novak Djokovic will face Moldovan qualifier Radu Albot in the first round. Although the Serb has played limited hard court matches in 2024, his impressive record of 71 titles and 14 Grand Slam victories on the surface will keep his confidence high. The 37-year-old is the second seed at the US Open and is positioned in the bottom half of the draw.