"I served awful... Not everyone can serve like you" - Novak Djokovic banters with Nick Kyrgios on the court after getting walkover in US Open 2R
Novak Djokovic admitted to having a bad serving day after securing a walkover in his 2024 US Open second-round clash against compatriot Laslo Djere. The reigning champion at Flushing Meadows also engaged in some banter with Nick Kyrgios over the subject.
Djokovic set up the second-round showdown against Djere after a straightforward win against Moldovan Radu Albot in his tournament opener. The two Serbs had produced a thriller of a contest at last year's US Open. On that occasion, Djokovic staged a remarkable comeback after trailing compatriot Djere by two sets.
However, this time around, things seemed to be going Djokovic's way after he clinched the first set 6-4. However, the World No. 2 soon found himself in trouble as Djere raced to a 4-2 lead in the second set, aided by the 24-time Major winner's uncharacteristically erratic serving.
Not long after though, Djere's movement underwent a concerning transformation, as his court coverage became drastically slower. This turned things around in Djokovic's favor, with the World No. 2 ultimately clinching the set 6-4.
Djere started the third set, but decided to retire after trailing 0-2, giving Djokovic a passage to the third round. After the match, Nick Kyrgios made his way out on to Arthur Ashe Stadium to conduct the defending US Open champion's post-match, on-court interview.
Djokovic told the Aussie that he did not feel good about compatriot Djere having to retire, particularly considering that the World No. 109 has had his fair share of injury woes to battle in the recent past.
"It’s not what we want or what the crowd wants.. To see a walkover. He had an injury that took him off the tour for some time and he is struggling to come back physically to his level. He’s such a good player. It should’ve been his 2nd set honestly. He was 4-2 up.. I don’t know whether me winning the 2nd set put more burden on him mentally. Overall it was a big fight," Djokovic said.
The 24-time Major champion proceeded to reflect on his dismal serving display, and briefly poked fun at Kyrgios, suggesting that very few players can serve like the Australian. Over the years, Kyrgios has established himself as one of the best servers in the men's game.
"Over 2 hours for 2 sets. I served awful. Playing without a serve, you have to grind and run. Not everyone serves like you. I guess I have to rely on my baseline game," Djokovic added.
Djokovic will next take on Kyrgios' compatriot Alexei Popyrin in the third round.
Novak Djokovic set to meet Alexei Popyrin next for pair's third match in Grand Slams this year
Djokovic is slated to lock horns with Alexei Popyrin in the third round of the 2024 US Open, in what will be their third meeting at a Major this season.
The Serb and the Australian's first Grand Slam face-off this year came in the second round of the Australian Open. On the day, Popyrin severely tested Djokovic at times and even took a set off the Serb. However, it was Djokovic who eventually prevailed 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-3, and equaled the legendary Serena Williams' match win tally on Rod Laver Arena (77).
The pair's most recent meeting came in the third round of the Wimbledon Championships. Once again, it took the World No. 2 four sets to edge the Australian 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(3). The Wimbledon showdown between the duo produced a hilarious moment as well, with Djokovic miming hitting a penalty kick and Popyrin miming a goalkeeper.
The Serb and the Australian's on-court antics came amid England's soccer team securing a quarterfinal win at Euro 2024, which was taking place at the time in Germany.
Whoever out of Djokovic or Popyrin wins, will take on either 13th seed Ben Shelton or 20th seed Frances Tiafoe in the fourth round of the US Open.