In a triumphant return to the US Open, Novak Djokovic not only won his match but also reclaimed his position as the No. 1 ranked player in the world. After being unable to participate in last year’s tournament due to vaccination requirements, Djokovic dominated Alexandre Muller of France with a 6-0, 6-2, 6-3 victory on Monday night.
Prior to Djokovic’s match, the crowd enjoyed Coco Gauff’s three-set victory, followed by a ceremony commemorating 50 years of equal prize money at the US Open. Despite the late start time, Djokovic expressed his excitement for the opportunity to play on the prestigious Arthur Ashe Stadium, known for its lively atmosphere.
By winning this match, Djokovic proved that he is back in top form after his defeat by Daniil Medvedev in the 2021 final, which prevented him from achieving the calendar-year Grand Slam. The fans, including prominent figures like former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, showed their appreciation for Djokovic’s return with resounding applause.
Djokovic acknowledged the crowd’s support, stating, “It has been a couple of years, so to come in front of you guys is always a pleasure. Thanks for coming out, and thanks to all the people who stayed until almost 1 a.m. Night sessions at Arthur Ashe are always something special.”
In just 23 minutes, Djokovic secured the first set and proceeded to win the first eight games before Muller could respond. Despite Muller’s efforts to bounce back, Djokovic’s impeccable performance left him with no answers. With this victory, Djokovic’s record at the US Open now stands at an impressive 17-0 in first-round matches.
With the win, Djokovic secures his position as the new No. 1 seed and is set to take over the rankings on September 11th. Since Djokovic did not participate in last year’s US Open and had no ranking points to defend, advancing to the second round guarantees him the top spot, surpassing Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz. This achievement marks Djokovic’s record-breaking 390th week as the world’s highest-ranked tennis player.
In the upcoming matches, Djokovic will face Spain’s Bernabe Zapata Miralles, who emerged as the winner against American Ethan Quinn in straight sets.
The content of this article draws on reports from The Associated Press and Reuters.
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