Did Novak Djokovic just reveal his secret weapon for the US Open? He powered through an injury scare against Cameron Norrie, leaving fans wondering about his incredible resilience. But with the tournament heating up, can his body truly keep pace with his legendary skill? Find out!
Novak Djokovic, a titan of the tennis world, secured his passage to the fourth round of the US Open, yet his hard-fought victory against Britain’s Cameron Norrie was shadowed by a concerning injury scare that sparked fears among fans and pundits alike regarding his physical endurance in the demanding Grand Slam tournament.
Despite Norrie’s earlier assertion that Djokovic possessed the “level” required to clinch a record 25th Grand Slam title, the British number two openly questioned whether the 38-year-old tennis legend would maintain the necessary physical staying power to navigate through the latter stages of the competition.
Early in the pivotal first set, the four-time New York champion required a medical timeout, receiving treatment for a lower back issue. This unexpected pause in play momentarily cast a pall over the Serbian superstar’s formidable presence on court, highlighting the physical toll of elite-level tennis.
Remarkably, Djokovic displayed his unparalleled resilience, recovering swiftly to dominate the match with a final score of 6-4, 6-7, 6-2, 6-3. This win not only advanced him in the US Open but also etched his name into the history books as the oldest man since Jimmy Connors in 1991 to reach the fourth round at Flushing Meadows, underscoring his enduring prowess.
Demonstrating his formidable serve, Djokovic equaled his personal best of 18 aces in a US Open match, a testament to his power and precision. Cameron Norrie, despite his valiant effort, extended his streak of not beating a top-10 player in a Grand Slam, now having lost all seven of his encounters with the legendary Serb.
When questioned about his back injury post-match, Djokovic remained typically stoic and strategically vague, stating, “It is alright. I have had some ups and downs I guess. You don’t want to reveal too much to rivals who are listening. I’m as young and as strong as ever. I’m still trying to find my groove. Today I played the best I have so far in the tournament.”
Norrie concurred with Djokovic’s assessment of his play, acknowledging the Serb’s high level. The British player experienced a brief surge of momentum, taking the second-set tiebreak after Djokovic double-faulted. Norrie further challenged the champion by breaking him in the opening game of the third set with two powerful forehand winners, including a superb drop shot, making the “mission impossible” seem momentarily within reach.
The match was not without its minor controversies, as Norrie also voiced a complaint to German umpire Nico Helworth about the perceived extended time Djokovic was taking between points. However, Norrie downplayed the impact, stating, “I don’t think it was a tactic, but I would have liked to see the umpire be a bit more assertive. It changed nothing for the match.” This incident, while minor, added another layer to the intensity of the high-stakes US Open clash.
