Novak Djokovic, the 21-time Grand Slam champion, made his much-anticipated debut under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium at the US Open on Monday night. However, the crowd’s energy was noticeably subdued during the first two-and-a-half sets of his 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 victory over Radu Albot.
Despite the lack of atmosphere, Djokovic maintained his focus and never allowed Albot to gain any momentum. The Moldovan struggled to find his rhythm and committed 45 unforced errors, while Djokovic remained composed and efficient.
Albot’s only bright spot came in his ability to save break points, frustrating Djokovic at times. However, the Serbian eventually broke through in the third set, eliciting the first and only collective outburst from the crowd.
Djokovic’s victory was crucial for his hopes of conserving energy in the tournament. In 2021, he dropped a set in four of his first five matches and was exhausted by the final. By finishing his match against Albot around midnight, Djokovic ensured that he would have ample time to recover before his next encounter.
Despite the subdued atmosphere, Djokovic acknowledged the importance of night sessions at the US Open. “The noise, the energy of the stadium is just different from anything else,” he said. “I’m going to play my first match here Monday night, so I can’t wait to be under the lights.”
