Djokovic eyes record 25th Grand Slam at US Open after golden Games

Novak Djokovic finally got his hands on an Olympic gold medal to complete the career Golden Slam in Paris but the Serb faces the prospect of being shut out of the Grand Slams for the first time since 2017 as he gears up for his U.S. Open title defence.

Djokovic, who will once again bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows, has been upstaged by younger rivals this season, losing to Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open semi-finals and Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final.

The 37-year-old withdrew from his French Open quarter-final due to a knee injury.

The last time Djokovic played all four majors in a season without winning one was 14 years ago but recent form suggests he is getting back to his best with the Serb beating French Open champion Alcaraz in the Paris Games final at Roland Garros.

Djokovic has since opted out of U.S. Open tune-up tournaments in Montreal and Cincinnati to recharge his batteries before attempting to move past Margaret Court and take sole possession of the all-time Grand Slam record.

"I think he can find the motivation, the gold medal will lift him. If he plays like this, he's the man to beat at the U.S. Open," Djokovic's former coach Goran Ivanisevic said.

"I'm so glad that he finally won the Olympic gold. I wish him a 25th Grand Slam, to break the absolute record, and then he can retire, although he'll never retire."

SLIGHTLY UNDERCOOKED

Alcaraz arrives in New York slightly undercooked on hardcourts and hoping to erase Friday's racket-smashing defeat by French veteran Gael Monfils in the Cincinnati second round.

"I felt it was the worst match I ever played in my career," Alcaraz said of the 4-6 7-6(5) 6-4 loss.

"It's really difficult to find good stuff from this match. I want to