Novak Djokovic, energized by his emotional Olympic triumph, is setting his sights on further Grand Slam records as the US Open kicks off on Monday. The defending champion has the opportunity to become the oldest winner in Open era history if he secures his fifth US Open title, matching the record held by legends like Jimmy Connors, Pete Sampras, and Roger Federer. Additionally, Djokovic is poised to extend his Grand Slam tally to 25, surpassing the 24 titles he currently shares with Margaret Court.
The US Open arrives at a crucial juncture for Djokovic, who has faced a challenging season. He was dethroned as Australian Open champion by Jannik Sinner and lost his world No. 1 ranking. Carlos Alcaraz claimed his French Open title and then defeated Djokovic in a decisive Wimbledon final. However, Djokovic's stunning Olympic victory allowed him to complete a career Golden Slam, achieving all four major titles and Olympic gold—a milestone that affirmed his enduring dominance despite emerging rivals.
Sinner, who won the Cincinnati Masters, has been embroiled in controversy due to positive drug tests for the banned substance clostebol. Despite being cleared of intentional wrongdoing after a contamination explanation was accepted, the situation has overshadowed his recent successes. The scrutiny and criticism from figures like Nick Kyrgios have added pressure on the 23-year-old as he heads into the US Open.
In the women's draw, defending champion Coco Gauff is struggling with a dip in form following a disappointing Olympic exit and early losses in recent tournaments. Iga Swiatek, the 2022 US Open champion and world No. 1, reached the semifinals in Cincinnati but was defeated by Aryna Sabalenka, the Australian Open champion who was the runner-up to Gauff last year. With no woman defending the US Open title successfully since Serena Williams in 2014, the competition remains fierce.
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