Novak Djokovic Gives His Take on Why American Men Don’t Dominate Tennis Anymore
Novak Djokovic, who secured three straight-set wins, will face Jakub Mensik for the third time in his career.
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Novak Djokovic (Image via X/Lacoste)
Novak Djokovic is into the fourth round of the 2026 Australian Open and is set to face an opponent who denied him the 2025 Miami Open. It’s Czech ace Jakub Mensik, the 16th seed, who booked a spot in the fourth round of a Grand Slam event for the first time in his career.
Before scheduling his career’s third match against the 20-year-old, the former World No.1 knocked out Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp, en route to which he played a tie-break for the first time in this tournament. Although the tie-break was forced, the 24-time Grand Slam champion ensured a win in straight sets. The 38-year-old broke no sweat against his first two opponents, Pedro Martinez and Francesco Maestrelli, winning both with 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 scorelines.
Following his win over van de Zandschulp, the Serb was asked to give his opinion on why he thinks American men don’t dominate on the tour anymore. Although American women have been sweeping Grand Slam titles, no ATP player has lifted a Major title since Andy Roddick won the 2003 US Open by defeating Juan Carlos Ferrero.
I don’t think you’re lacking players… it’s just, maybe at the moment, you don’t have someone that would take it to the next step and play for Grand Slams and be top player of the world. But that could change very quickly. Women’s tennis is doing very well currently with American players.
Novak Djokovic said
Eighth seed Ben Shelton and ninth seed Taylor Fritz have made the fourth round and will meet Casper Ruud and Lorenzo Musetti, respectively. Many have tipped both these players to end the American men’s Grand Slam drought. And while Fritz is a one-time Major finalist, Shelton has so far made two semifinals, including last year’s Australian Open.
Last year, Madison Keys beat Aryna Sabalenka in the final of the Melbourne Slam, and later Coco Gauff beat the Belarusian at Roland Garros. Amanda Anisimova made two Major finals: lost to Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon and to Sabalenka at the US Open.
Justine Henin says Novak Djokovic was lucky to escape disqualification
Frustration got the better of Novak Djokovic during his match against Botic van de Zandschulp as he smashed a ball, which narrowly missed a ball girl. Djokovic was infamously disqualified from the 2020 US Open when he accidentally hit a line judge in her throat. Reacting to the incident during the ongoing event, Justine Henin said Djokovic was lucky to avoid disqualification.
But at the same time, when you’re caught up in the moment, the emotions… You can feel them overflowing in Djokovic. He’d been trying to contain it for a few games. It came out, and he was lucky, very lucky, in that situation. We immediately saw the umpire look at him and try to talk to him. It was impossible; Djokovic wasn’t going to look at him at that moment. I don’t even know if Novak responded to him during the change of ends. This gesture is more violent than the one at the US Open, yes.
Justine Henin said on Eurosport
Djokovic later apologized for causing distress. The win over van de Zandschulp was his career’s 400th Grand Slam win.
Djokovic is chasing his record-extending 11th title at Melbourne Park, last winning it in 2023 by defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas. The last time he tasted glory in the Majors was at the 2023 US Open, defeating Daniil Medvedev.
Last year, he made the semifinals of all four Grand Slams, losing thrice to Jannik Sinner (French Open, Wimbledon) and Carlos Alcaraz (US Open). In Melbourne, however, an injury forced him to give the walkover to eventual AO runner-up Alexander Zverev.
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