Novak Djokovic's former coach, Goran Ivanisevic, is certain that the Serbian can win the 2024 US Open; in fact, he would consider him the favorite if he keeps his motivation.
A highly motivated Djokovic arrived in Paris searching for that elusive gold medal. It was something he could never get done, which kept his focus laser sharp the entire time he was in the French capital this year.
Sensational play allowed him to book the final against top favorite Carlos Alcaraz, and he was able to even more sensationally beat him. He stepped up and outplayed the Spaniard in two sets to win the gold medal for the first time in his career.
It was the puzzle piece he was missing, the trophy he had never won, and it was a crowning moment for the Serbian. The emotional release was tremendous, and his former coach Ivanisevic felt it as well.
He wasn't there but back home in Croatia, but he felt every moment because he had been at the 24-time major winner's side for many years. They had many conversations about the Olympic gold medal, so he knew how much it meant to him.
That sort of motivation spurred him to play the best tennis he had played in a long time and win the gold medal. For Ivanisevic, that type of motivation is key for the Serbian. Speaking to the Tennis Majors after the 37-year-old's win, Ivanisevic admitted that he could see Djokovic win the US Open.
"I am so glad that he finally won this gold. I wish him 25th Slam, to break the absolute record, and then he can retire, although he will never retire, this guy. I think he can find the motivation, the gold will lift him. If he plays like this, he is the man to beat at the US Open."
The catch is that he needs to be equally motivated as he was in Paris. As long as he is motivated that way, he can certainly be competitive enough to win trophies.
"At Wimbledon, it was a miracle that he even played, let alone reached the finals, but we never know if something similar to this year’s Australian Open can happen."
"Against (Jannik) Sinner there, he didn’t show up – we don’t have a crystal ball, but if he is motivated like here, he will be the favourite in New York."
This year's US Open will certainly be an event to watch when it comes to Djokovic, because, as Ivanisevic said, he could become the first tennis player ever to win 25 Grand Slam titles.
It's an unreached territory, and if he brings the motivation from Paris, he will certainly be competitive. Some might say his motivation may wane after this Olympic gold, but it might have a different effect, according to the Croatian.
The run in Paris proved to him that he could still compete with the best and even beat them, so it might motivate him to push even further to create an even more legendary legacy.