Novak Djokovic Vows No Change in Approach at US Open Despite Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s Absence

17-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic added to the fire of the debate on the ‘greatest player of all time’ after his first match in months on the ATP Tour. Djokovic has vowed that the absence of his biggest rivals – Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer – will not change his approach towards the US Open 2020.

The world number one Novak Djokovic is ctaching up quickly with Federer and Nadal on the all-time list of most Grand Slam winners. The Serbian Superstar believes that the Grand Slam debate will never be interuppted, despite the absence of Federer and Nadal. “l think the debate about who is the best of all time will never be interrupted,” the top seed said after his Round of 32 win at the Western and Southern Open.

Novak Djokovic is motivated to win 18th Grand Slam

He has a chance to close the gap on Federer and Nadal. Djokovic needs a championship-winning run at the US Open. Federer has 20 Grand Slams, while Nadal has 19.

There are many opinions regarding the significance of the US Open 2020 title for Djokovic. This is beacuse the player field is not the strongest due to withdrawals. Many believe that even if Djokovic wins this year, it would be considered far less significant in the debate of the ‘greatest player ever’.

Djokovic laid rest to all those doubts. He said that this year’s affected US Open is still a Grand Slam. He is focusing on adding to his tally. “We are in New York, the Grand Slam is ahead of us. The two of them are not there, but that does not change my approach. I want to achieve a good result,” Djokovic said.

Can Djokovic close the gap on Federer and Nadal?

Djokovic is expected to win the US Open for his 18th Grand Slam title. But Nadal is expected to equal Federer’s tally of 20 at the French Open later next month. Roger Federer will not return to the Tour until the start of 2021.

Djokovic started his build-up to the US Open with a 7-6(2), 6-4 win over Ricardas Berankis on Monday. He battled issues with his neck during the match and later said he is still not 100 per cent fit.

Djokovic’s path to another major title will be made difficult at the US Open by the likes of Dominic Thiem, Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev.