Novak Djokovic continues to etch his name deeper into the history books, becoming the oldest player in the Open era to reach the quarter-finals of all four Grand Slams in a single season.
The 38-year-old achieved the feat on Sunday night with a commanding 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 win over Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff at the US Open.
It is the latest reminder of Djokovic’s extraordinary longevity, coming more than three decades after Jimmy Connors last made the final four in New York at the age of 39 in 1991.
The Serbian's sights remain fixed on winning a 25th major title, which would push him clear of Margaret Court at the top of tennis’s all-time list.
Novak Djokovic continues to etch his name deeper into the history books, becoming the oldest player in the Open era to reach the quarter-finals of all four Grand Slams in a single season
|REUTERS
Asked if triumphing at Flushing Meadows would rank as his greatest career achievement, Djokovic admitted the thought had crossed his mind.
“It could be,” he said. “Still a very long way [to go]."
And Djokovic has also claimed that, with age, he's decided to change his mindset by taking things 'one match at a time'.
"In the last couple of years, I learned to take one match at a time," he continued. "And yes, of course, I’m dreaming about winning another Slam, and it would be amazing if I do it here.
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"But I can’t allow myself to go that far with my thinking. I just need to focus on what needs to be done to win the next match, the next challenge.
“The last Grand Slam I won was here actually two years ago. So it would be a nice kind of journey in the last couple of years – to kind of close the circle here again would be great.”
Djokovic’s reduced schedule this season, with only one exhibition appearance between the French Open, Wimbledon and New York, has been designed to preserve his body for the biggest stages.
The strategy has paid off, with the tennis legend appearing fresher than ever despite battling with some injury issues. He now also leads the way when it comes to seasons reaching all four Grand Slam quarter-finals.
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Another Novak win another Novak record 🥳
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Djokovic leads the way in seasons reaching all the Grand Slam Quarter-Finals! pic.twitter.com/SOwvbfOdte
There were minor concerns on Sunday when he required treatment on his neck and forearm, but they proved nothing more than a footnote.
The four-time US Open champion was clinical against Struff, firing 12 aces and 33 winners while dropping serve only once.
“I think I had a great serving performance in the last round and also tonight,” Djokovic said.
“I just saw the stats, I out-served one of the guys that had the most aces during the tournament this year, so that’s a great stat. Obviously that helps make my life easier on the court.”
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Novak Djokovic has been in imperious form at the US Open so far
|REUTERS
Next up is a meeting with Taylor Fritz, the American No 1 who will enjoy the full backing of the Arthur Ashe crowd.
Djokovic, who owns a flawless 10-0 record over the Californian, is wary of the threat his younger rival poses.
“I expect players that never won against me to come out on the court and try something different, try to make me feel uncomfortable,” he said.
“I don’t think there’s going to be any major changes with Taylor, because obviously you stick to the kind of game plan that got you to the quarters.
Novak Djokovic will lock horns with Taylor Fritz in the quarter-finals of the US Open
|REUTERS
"His backhand is very solid, very flat. For a big guy, he moves really well – I think it’s quite underestimated how well he’s moving, particularly in the last couple of years.”
For Djokovic, the quest for 25 remains alive, and with it the chance to achieve yet another milestone: becoming the first man in history to win a Grand Slam at the age of 38.
The current record for the oldest major winner is held by Ken Rosewall, who won the 1972 Australian Open at the age of 37 years, two months and one day.