The milestones continue to pile up for Novak Djokovic with the tennis great setting a new record for most wins by a man on Arthur Ashe Stadium with his latest victory at the US Open.
Fresh from completing a career Golden Slam following his gold medal success at the Paris Olympics, Djokovic opened his title defence at Flushing Meadows with a solid 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 victory over qualifier Radu Albot in the first round on the showpiece court on Monday.
The victory was Djokovic’s 89th at the US Open with 78 of those coming on Arthur Ashe Stadium, the latter a new record for most wins on Ashe by a man.
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He also joined Roger Federer in second place for most wins at the US Open with Jimmy Connors’ record of 98 safe for at least another year.
“I wasn’t aware of it [record for most wins on Arthur Ashe] to be honest. It’s the biggest stadium. Definitely the loudest we have in the history of our sport,” the 24-time Grand Slam winner said. “The night sessions are the best in the world on Arthur Ashe. Ever since the roof was introduced it became even louder. Electric atmosphere. Incredible energy.
“Obviously with some new rules this year with the crowd able to move around, there are a lot of things happening on court. We’re clocking midnight right now. I love night seasons, maybe not this late, but nevertheless it was great fun.”
Djokovic broke twice in the first set, three times in the second and once in the third although Albot did get some joy in the second set as he managed one break of serve.
The victory also helped him to extend his streak for most first-round wins at Grand Slams as he now sits on 71 – well clear of Roger Federer on 65 in second place with Chris Evert third on 56.
The second seed, though, acknowledges he needs to brush up on his game as he made 40 unforced errors, served 10 double faults and landed 47 per cent of first serves.
But considering it is his first match on a hard court in months, a win is always welcome.
“I wanted to kick start the tournament in the right way and I think I did,” Djokovic, who faces fellow Serbian Laslo Djere in the second round, said. “Some ups and downs which I think is normal, getting the rust off your shoulders coming off a different surface and the Olympic Games.
“I haven’t played on hard courts for six months, so I’m still finding that groove, finding the tempo on the court.”
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