Tennis: Before dream semi-final in New York: Djokovic asks for dance

Tennis top star Novak Djokovic celebrated his step towards the dream semi-final at the US Open against Carlos Alcaraz with a little dance in honor of his daughter. The fact that the dad hunted for the Grand Slam record on her 8th birthday and missed her party was not well received by the Tara, who had stayed at home.

The 6: 3, 7: 5, 3: 6, 6: 4 against the American finalist Taylor Fritz was therefore a “great gift for her,” said the 38 -year -old Serb. Tara taught him the little dance to the song “Soda Pop”, which he presented after the success. You would have rehearsed different choreographies. “She will evaluate me tomorrow. Hopefully I will make her laugh when she wakes up,” he said, shaping his heart with his hands.

In New York, Djokovic is now asking for the 25th Grand Slam title “Die Great two” on his hoped-for to dance, as Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are sometimes honored. “Everyone is expecting and hoping for a final between the two. I will try to thwart most people’s plans,” announced Djokovic.

Once again, the former number one in the world in the decisive phase of a Grand Slam tournament can have a say. Djokovic had said to be reluctant to miss family celebrations like his children’s birthdays, at the beginning of the US Open. He had started the tournament a bit shaky. On Friday he will play around the final in his 53rd semi-finals at one of the four most important tournaments against French Open Champion Alcaraz.

How fit does Djokovic go to the semi -finals?

Djokovic won the last two duels with Alcaraz in the quarter -finals of the Australian Open and in the final of the 2024 Olympic Games in France. Previously, in 2024 he lost the Wimbledon final against the Spaniard. Overall, it is ahead with 5: 3 wins. However, the world ranking second Alcaraz shows itself in top form. “There is definitely a lot going on,” Djokovic looked ahead of the duel with the 22 -year -old Spaniard.

The two days of break come. Because age does not pass him without a trace. “The key will be to bring my body into shape and be ready to play five sets if necessary,” said Djokovic. “I usually like to play the big matches on the big stage. I’m just not sure how my body will feel.”

He supported Fritz on his racket when he had granted a match ball over 19 strokes after a rallies. In the third chance to make a decision, the world ranking list took his work with a double error. He expanded the success series against the 27-year-old American to impressive 11-0 wins.

“It was an incredibly tight match. I was happy to ward off some important break chances,” said Djokovic. He did not need a physiotherapist like in three of the four rounds before. In the first round, the 24-fold record grand slam winner himself was surprised at how bad he felt and how difficult it recovered after long ranges. In the third round the back, in the round of 16 against Jan-Lennard Struff, was treated on the neck, shoulder and arm.

For Djokovic, a circle should close in New York

Two years ago, Djokovic had celebrated his 24th and last Grand Slam triumph in New York. Since then, he has been running the number 25, with which the sole record holder in front of the Australian Margaret Court would have been in vain. He was also in the semi-finals for the three previous Grand Slam tournaments this season. It didn’t go any further. Also because of some physical problems.

In Australia, Djokovic gave up against Alexander Zverev because of a thigh injury. In Wimbledon, after his defeat against Sinner, he described that he felt like he was “going to Alcaraz and Sinner with a half -empty tank”. Do he feel different than in Wimbledon? “Let’s wait and see. I don’t feel fresh at the moment. Hopefully I’m fit enough and play well enough to keep up with Carlos. Then it can be an open game.”