GOLDEN OLDIE NOVAK STILL DRIVEN

Paris champ motivated to continue rivalries with younger players at Flushing Meadows

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Novak Djokovic said he remains eager to continue making history as he begins his US Open title defence less than a month after winning a coveted gold medal at the Paris Olympics to cement his status as the greatest tennis player in history.

The Serb aims to win a record 25th Grand Slam and become the first US Open champion to successfully defend his title since Swiss great Roger Federer in 2008.

The 37-year-old said he was looking forward to playing his first match of the tournament on Aug 26 against Moldovan qualifier Radu Albot under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium.

"The goal is always for me to try to go all the way to the final and fight for the trophy. That kind of mindset is no different for me this year," Djokovic said on Aug 24.

"People ask me 'now that you have won everything with the gold medal, what else is there to win?' I still feel the drive. I still have the competitive spirit. I still want to make more history and enjoy myself on the tour.

"The US Open holds the biggest tennis court in the world. Night sessions here are very famous. I'm going to play my first match on Monday night, I can't wait to be under the lights. The noise, the energy of the stadium is just different. I look forward to it." Other than his Paris Games triumph, Djokovic has claimed no other titles in 2024, losing to younger players such as Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open semi-finals and Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final.

The last time Djokovic played all four Majors in a season without winning one was 14 years ago. Yet the Serb looked like he was in fine form at the Olympics, beating French Open champion Alcaraz in the final.