Roger Federer caught on camera as Novak Djokovic passes record at US Open
Novak Djokovic has surpassed Roger Federer's Grand Slam semi-final record at the US Open
REUTERS
On Tuesday, Novak Djokovic passed Roger Federer by making a record 47th Grand Slam semi-final.
The Serb did this by overcoming Taylor Fritz in straight sets, powering his way to a 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 victory at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
And the result means no other men's player in tennis history has made it to more semi-finals at major tournaments.
Djokovic has now moved one ahead of Federer, who made 46 during his playing days prior to retiring from the sport last year.
Roger Federer won five US Open titles throughout his career
PA
And Federer has now been caught on camera in Budapest, Hungary, while his old rival charges towards yet another trophy.
Index.hu shared images of the 42-year-old looking smart at the Agricultural Museum.
Federer wore sunglasses and a black hoodie and waved to fans who greeted him.
The publication says the tennis legend is in the country to appear in a commercial for a German car manufacturer.
He travelled there for filming and left Budapest as soon as he was done.
Federer is yet to respond to Djokovic breaking yet another of his records.
However, given the class he's always conducted himself with, it's likely he'd have only positive things to say.
One record Djokovic can't beat, this year at least, is Federer's own haul of US Open trophies.
The veteran won five in a row between 2004 and 2008 before eventually being stopped by Juan Martin del Potro in the 2009 final.
Djokovic has won on three separate occasions, claiming glory at Flushing Meadows in 2011, 2015 and 2018.
Speaking after his win over Fritz, meanwhile, the 36-year-old was emotional and paid tribute to those who had helped him throughout his career so far.
"This is the sport that has given me so much in my life," he said.
"Coming from Serbia, a war-torn country when I was growing up, I faced a lot of adversity.
"I was lucky to encounter some very knowledgeable and passionate people.
"Without their support, and my parents, I wouldn't be here without their love and incredible sacrifice.
"That is the long answer for what goes through my head when I hear those numbers [of records he has broken]. There's a lot of things I am very grateful for."
As for Fritz, the 25-year-old admitted it 'sucked' to lose to Djokovic so emphatically.
“As far as returning goes, I can’t ask for that much more, but I didn’t serve anywhere near good enough to compete with him," said the American.
“If I could serve to the standards I know I can serve to, maybe I could work with something and it would be a closer match.
“Novak being Novak, he’ll make me feel like I’m serving worse than I am and in other matches I wouldn’t get punished as much for missing first serves.
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Taylor Fritz was unable to prevent Novak Djokovic from charging on at the US Open
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“Against him, I have to hit my spots. That’s just the way it is. I served awful. It sucked.
“He was solid and I just didn’t perform at my best on the big points. It’s as simple as that.”
Djokovic will now go up against another American in the form of Ben Shelton in the last four of the US Open.
Shelton continued his sensational year so far by beating Frances Tiafoe 6-2, 3-6, 7-6, 6-2.
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