© Getty Photographs Sport – Al Bello
Novak Djokovic has highlighted that retiring now’s completely not an choice and hinted he’ll in all probability take into account retirement provided that he begins recurrently shedding to youthful gamers in Grand Slams. On Friday, Djokovic ousted rising American star Ben Shelton 6-3 6-2 7-6 (4) to achieve the US Open remaining.
With that win, 36-year-old Djokovic made at the very least the ultimate in every of the 4 Grand Slam tournaments in 2023. “It in all probability sounds cocky or conceited, however I am probably not stunned. I understand how a lot work and dedication I put into attempting to be on this place.
I do know I deserve this. I at all times imagine in myself, in my very own capabilities as a tennis participant, to have the ability to ship when it issues. I’m not actually stunned, to be trustworthy. I really feel good bodily. I’ve been nearly as good as I have been in years and years.
Age is only a quantity. That phrase is de facto resonating with me in the intervening time. I do not need to even take into account leaving tennis or fascinated about an finish if I am nonetheless on the prime of the sport. I’ll in all probability take into account doing that if I get my a** kicked by younger guys in Grand Slams within the years to return,” Djokovic mentioned.
Djokovic routinely beat Shelton
Shelton, 20, drew a lot of optimistic consideration to his identify within the final two weeks and he’s now extensively thought of among the many brightest skills in males’s tennis.
However Shelton did not actually stand a lot of an opportunity towards Djokovic. Within the first set, Djokovic claimed the primary break of the match within the sixth recreation earlier than serving out for the opener within the ninth recreation. After profitable the primary set, Djokovic additionally broke Shelton twice within the second set to open a two-set lead.
Within the third set, Djokovic blew an early break but additionally saved a set level on his service within the tenth recreation. Djokovic broke Shelton once more within the eleventh recreation for a 6-5 lead however then missed out on a match level within the following recreation because the third set went right into a tie-break.
Within the tie-break, Djokovic got here up massive because the Serb opened a cushty 5-1 lead earlier than changing his second match level.
