Tennis player Novak Djokovic and members of Team Serbia celebrate during the welcoming ceremony for Serbian Olympic champions, in Belgrade, Serbia, August 12, 2024. REUTERS/Zorana Jevtic/ File Photo
(Reuters) - Novak Djokovic said he remains eager to continue making history as he begins his U.S. Open title defence only three weeks after winning a coveted gold medal at the Paris Games to cement his status as the greatest tennis player in history.
Djokovic aims to win a record 25th Grand Slam and become the first U.S. Open champion to successfully defend his title since Swiss great Roger Federer in 2008.
The 37-year-old said he was looking forward to playing his first match of the tournament on Monday against Radu Albot under the lights of the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
"The goal is always for me to try to go all the way to the finals and fight for the trophy. That kind of mindset is no different for me this year," Djokovic told a news conference on Saturday.
"People ask me 'now that you have won everything with the golden medal, what else is there to win?' I still feel the drive. I still have the competitive spirit. I still want to make more history and enjoy myself on the tour.
"The US Open holds the biggest tennis court in the world. Night sessions here are very famous. I'm going to play my first match on Monday night, I can't wait to be under the lights. The noise, the energy of the stadium is just different. I look forward to it."
Other than his Paris Games triumph, Djokovic has claimed no other titles in 2024, losing to younger players such as Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open semi-finals and Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final.
The last time Djokovic played all four majors in a season without winning one was 14 years ago. Yet the Serb looked like he was in fine form at the Olympics, beating French Open champion Alcaraz in the final.
Djokovic claims to be motivated to keep pushing himself forward through his rivalries with younger players.
"These kind of rivalries that I have with Jannik and Carlos are the kind of matchups that still bring that joy of competition to me and inspire me to really push myself to perfect the game," he added.
(Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City; Editing by David Gregorio)
