Novak Djokovic is one of many big names to have signed up for the new US Open mixed doubles event.
Djokovic has progressed to the fourth round of Wimbledon for the 17th time in his career after beating his compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic.
Despite not winning a Grand Slam tournament for nearly two years, it has been suggested that Djokovic has sent a message to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz after his latest victory.
Although Djokovic’s current focus is on Wimbledon, he also appears to have one eye on the revamped US Open mixed doubles event.
Novak Djokovic says what he first thought about the US Open mixed doubles event
The US Open has completely revamped their mixed doubles event this year, changing the format, number of teams and giving priority to singles players.
Due to this decision, the US Open has received a lot of criticism including from the defending mixed doubles champions.
Despite this, the US Open has announced a blockbuster initial lineup that includes Emma Raducanu and Alcaraz, Madison Keys and Frances Tiafoe, as well as Sinner and Emma Navarro.
Djokovic will partner his fellow Serbian Olga Danilovic, and he has now revealed that she was the first name that came to his mind when the new US Open mixed doubles event was announced.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion also acknowledged criticism of the event, but suggested that he thought the US Open had made a good move in terms of entertainment.
“When I heard about the new change of the mixed doubles event at the US Open, she [Danilovic] was the first one I thought of, you know, I want to play with a Serbian player and you know, she’s obviously the top right now, so we were both excited, you know,” Djokovic said in his Wimbledon press conference. “So it’s going to be fun, you know.
“I know that there’s quite divided opinions on whether this should have taken place, this change or not. I understand the arguments on both sides, to be honest. But I guess in terms of the fun and entertainment and attracting the top players and singles, both men, women, that’s what they got with this change.
“But I do, again, I do understand the arguments on the other side saying, you know, two days, short format, you shouldn’t be named at Grand Slam champion, but it is what it is, and the US Open, or USTA makes these decisions, and I’m excited to do that, to play that.
“A mixed doubles event. It’s a very short couple day event, but I think it should be very, very entertaining.”
Has Novak Djokovic played mixed doubles at a Grand Slam tournament before?
Djokovic has made five Grand Slam appearances in men’s doubles, but never in mixed competition.
However, he has played a mixed doubles tournament before at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
On that occasion he partnered another Serbian in Nina Stojanovic, with the pair making it all the way to the semi-finals.
However, they lost that semi-final and Djokovic would then controversially withdraw from their subsequent bronze medal match.
Djokovic will be hoping to improve on his Tokyo Olympics performance when he partners with Danilovic at the US Open, but first he will focus on Wimbledon.
The 38-year-old will now face 11th seed Alex de Minaur, who he has won two of his three previous meetings against.
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