Novak Djokovic Advances After Laslo Djere Retires Due to Injury at US Open

Novak Djokovic secured his place in the third round of the 2024 US Open after his compatriot Laslo Djere was forced to retire due to injury. The match, held under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium, saw Djokovic leading 6-4, 6-4, 2-0 before Djere decided he could no longer continue. The first two sets were […]

Novak Djokovic secured his place in the third round of the 2024 US Open after his compatriot Laslo Djere was forced to retire due to injury. The match, held under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium, saw Djokovic leading 6-4, 6-4, 2-0 before Djere decided he could no longer continue.

The first two sets were fiercely contested, with Djere showing resilience and skill that belied his lower ranking. Djere even held a 4-2 lead in the second set with two break points, threatening to level the match. However, Djokovic’s experience and mental toughness shone through as he clawed back, breaking Djere’s serve twice to take the set.

As the match progressed, it became evident that Djere was struggling physically. The 29-year-old sought medical attention during the second set, receiving treatment for an abdominal injury. Unfortunately, the injury worsened, and after Djokovic broke his serve again early in the third set, Djere decided to retire from the match.

Djokovic, who was visibly relieved after the win, acknowledged Djere’s valiant effort and expressed sympathy for his fellow Serbian. Despite his win, Djokovic admitted he wasn’t at his best, particularly with his serve, which led to a grueling baseline battle that extended the match to over two hours for just two sets.

With this victory, Djokovic achieved a significant milestone—his 90th win at the US Open, making him the first male player to achieve 90 wins at each of the four Grand Slam tournaments. He now moves on to face Australia’s Alexei Popyrin in the next round