After his 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 win against Jan-Lennard Struff, Novak Djokovic will play Taylor Fritz on his daughter’s birthday.
Djokovic’s daughter, Tara, will turn eight on the day he lines up against Fritz.
Djokovic admitted that his daughter was not happy about him missing her party.
“Yeah, she was not very happy about it, me being absent from the birthday party. Don’t remind me of that, please.
“But I’ll try to win if I’m here. At least I’m going to try to win and give her that kind of present. I’m going to send some nice presents, as well (smiling), nice surprises for her birthday party.
“Hopefully the win can be something she can be happy with. But again, yeah, daddy away and daddy present is a big difference. I know that, but it is what it is this year.”
Deep run
Back at the US Open in 1991, Jimmy Connors made a deep run in the tournament at the age of 39. He eventually lost in the semi-finals to fellow American Jim Courier.
Djokovic was asked whether he remembered that run and whether his run at the age of 38 is similar.
“I remember that run. I was very, very young, so I don’t vividly remember it when it was happening, but in the years to come when I was growing up watching a lot of tennis, everyone was, you know, talking about that run being one of the most historic runs we had in sport on any slam.
“You know, Jimmy Connors being one of the greatest tennis players of all time, greatest legends in general overall globally but particularly in this tournament.
“He’s won it, like, five times. He’s fired up the New York crowd like no other player has done in his career.
“Yeah, just being in the same discussion or same conversation with Jimmy is obviously a huge honour of mine.”
‘So many questions’
If Djokovic was able to talk tennis with both Federer and Nadal, there would be so many questions he would like to ask them.
“A lot of questions. I mean, yeah, I’ll probably start with, you know, how did they approach matches against me, like, what did they feel like they needed to do to win.
“Where was I annoying? Just how would they train, how would they mentally prepare, like all of this, I’d love to pick their brains on that.
“That would be amazing.”
Djokovic pondered the question of whether this would be his greatest achievement if he was able to secure his fifth US open title.
“It could be. Still very long way. For me, last couple of years, I learned one thing right now is to take really one match at a time.
“And yes, of course I’m dreaming about winning another slam, and it would be amazing if I do it here.”
Djokovic described the differences between aiming for your first grand slam – like Fritz – or attempting to win your 25th grand slam in his case.
“Quite different. Obviously going for your first slam, you know, there’s so much energy put into that.
“Anticipation, vision, you know, to accomplish that great goal, the dream of so many players, probably 99% of the players, young players starting their careers, they always dream of winning one of the slams.
“For Taylor, as an American, I would assume that probably would be US Open, his dream tournament.
“For me, it was back in 2008 when I won my first slam. I felt a huge relief, to be honest. I was lucky to do it quite early in my career.”
Djokovic outlined his thoughts on the potential for Fritz to win a grand slam title.
“Yeah, you know, Taylor definitely is one of the guys that no doubt has a game, has a potential to be a grand slam winner.
“He was playing finals here last year, so he was one match away, so there is no reason not to believe that he can make it.
“Hopefully not this year, but any other year is fine.”
Update
Djokovic went on to beat Fritz in four sets, 6-4, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4.
Djokovic and Fritz have now played each other 11 times, with Fritz yet to win a match against the Serbian superstar.
Dave Marshall is reporting exclusively from the US Open in Flushing Meadows for The South African.
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