At the time of writing, Novak Djokovic is the official men’s number one tennis player. The Serbian tops the ATP rankings and has won two titles to date in 2024, including the Australian Open. Djokovic is level on 22 Grand Slam wins with Rafael Nadal and will be heading to the United States to play in the 2024 US Open. That means, with the French Open and Wimbledon still to play, Djokovic could move clear as the best male player to ever grace the game. Success in the United States could be just around the corner, but will Djokovic make a winning return in the US?
The 2022 US Open
The 2022 US Open made plenty of headlines on the court but it was the ruling off the court that had many people talking. Djokovic could not play in the 2022 US Open because of vaccine regulations in the United States. He also missed other tournaments played in the US during the 2022 season because of his vaccination status.
Carlos Alcaraz won the men’s single title at the 2022 US Open and the Spaniard is expected to be the man who will eventually overthrow Djokovic at the top of the men’s game. Djokovic has not played in the United States since 2021 and the US Open is certainly a poorer tournament without his presence. Alcaraz will feel he would have won the event even with Djokovic in the draw and he will have his opportunity to do just that at the 2024 US Open. If you would like to back Djokovic or Alcaraz to win the 2024 US Open, you can bet safely and securely on either play on one of the sportsbooks that accept PayPal like Gamble-USA.
Return to Action in the US
Djokovic was hoping to play in the Indian Wells event in California earlier in 2024 but withdrew from the tournament having been unable to obtain a Covid vaccine waiver to enter the United States. Indian Wells was the first Masters 1000 tournament of the season and Djokovic was unhappy about not being able to compete. Djokovic’s application received plenty of attention in the US, with Florida senators plus the US Open and Miami Open organisations backing his application but it was turned down.
However, the good news is that following Covid regulation changes by the United States government, Djokovic will be able to legally enter the country from the 11th of May onwards. This means Djokovic can play in tournaments taking place in the US, including the final Grand Slam of the year.
Can Djokovic Win US Open
Clearly Djokovic could not win the 2022 US Open as he was not in the draw, but it is a tournament he has struggled to win since 2018. Djokovic reached the final of the 2021 US Open but fell to Daniil Medvedev. Djokovic was eliminated in the fourth round of the competition in both 2019 and 2020, so he is not a clear favorite to come back and win the US Open in 2024. The US Open is an event which has eluded Djokovic many times and of his 22 Grand Slam victories, only 3 have come in the US Open. Six times Djokovic has made the final and lost, so Flushing Meadows is not his favored place to play tennis.
Djokovic may choose to play in some of the US based events leading up to the 2024 US Open. The Citi Open, which is an outdoor hardcourt event in Washington DC and the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati will both be on Djokovic’s radar. The Serb won the 2018 Western & Southern Open but could opt to play in the National Bank Open in Toronto, which is played the week before. The injury could play a part in the success of Djokovic in the United States, and he missed the Madrid Open in May due to an elbow problem. If Djokovic were to go deep in both the French Open and Wimbledon it will be interesting to see how much he has left in the tank.
Fans at the US Open would love to see Djokovic take on Alcaraz in the final and if the calendar Grand Slam was on the line, as it was in 2021, it would be a special occasion. Djokovic knows how to reach the final of the US Open but winning it has not come easy. It will be fascinating to see how he copes with the pressure if he was to reach the final again in 2024.
Reminder: His previous winnings
Novak Djokovic is one of the most successful tennis players of all time. The Serbian star has won numerous titles throughout his career, including 20 Grand Slam titles, tying him with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer for the most in men’s tennis history. Djokovic has also won five ATP Finals titles and 36 ATP Tour Masters 1000 titles.
In addition to his impressive record on the court, Djokovic has earned a substantial amount of money through his winnings. According to the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), Djokovic has earned over $155 million in prize money over the course of his career, making him the highest-earning male tennis player of all time. In 2021 alone, he has already earned over $3.3 million in prize money.
However, Djokovic’s earnings extend far beyond his prize money. As one of the most popular athletes in the world, he has numerous endorsement deals with companies such as Lacoste, ASICS, and HEAD.
Despite his impressive earnings, Djokovic is known for his philanthropic efforts as well. He has donated to numerous charities and established his own foundation, the Novak Djokovic Foundation, which focuses on improving early childhood education in Serbia. Djokovic has also been a vocal advocate for player rights and has been involved in discussions regarding the formation of a players’ union.
Overall, Novak Djokovic’s winnings and earnings are a testament to his success and popularity as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. His dedication to philanthropy and advocacy also demonstrate his commitment to making a positive impact off the court.