Novak Djokovic is the ‘underdog’ at the US Open 2023 and this will have an impact on the crowd believes Laura Robson

Novak Djokovic will be returning to New York after two years.

Novak Djokovic is the ‘underdog’ at the US Open 2023 and this will have an impact on the crowd believes Laura Robson

Novak Djokovic (Image via Financial Times)

Former British tennis player Laura Robson has labeled Serbian tennis legend Novak Djokovic as the underdog to Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz at the 2023 US Open. She has also claimed that Djokovic being seeded second will have an impact on the crowd at the Flushing Meadows as they like to get behind someone who is losing. 

As the main draw for the Men’s Singles even at the 2023 US Open, Novak Djokovic is seeded second behind World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz. The Serbian will be returning to New York after two years as Djokovic was barred from taking part in the 2022 US Open over his vaccination status. In 2021, the 36-year-old had lost to Daniil Medvedev in the final. 

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Nevertheless, he will be back at the Flushing Meadows and so will be the chances of him winning his fourth US Open title. Although Djokovic can’t complete a Calendar Slam now, the 36-year-old Serbian legend stands a chance to take his Grand Slam tally to a whopping 24 and equal Margaret Court’s all-time record.  However, it won’t be a clear-cut task for the Serbian, believes Laura Robson who labeled Djokovic an underdog. 

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“And maybe he might be almost a bit more of an underdog in New York and the New York fans love to get behind anyone who’s not winning, basically. So maybe things will come round for him. I can’t really see a reason to not like him, or at least to not enjoy his tennis and accept that actually, he is the best in the world,” said Robson (via Sky Sports).

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Laura Robson feels Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz bring the best out of each other

Novak Djokovic Carlos Alcaraz Cincinnati Open
Carlos Alcaraz (L), Novak Djokovic (R) at Cincinnati Open prize ceremony (Image via Tennis.com)

Laura Robson also talked about the growing rivalry between 36-year-old Novak Djokovic and 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz. The Olympic medalist said that the two bring the best out in each other and hence she expects another thrilling contest at the 2023 US Open. “I’d love to see a bit of a rivalry unfold with Alcaraz because they seem to bring out the best in each other,” she said. 

Notably, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic have been involved in two Grand Slam finals this year. While the Serbian went past Alcaraz at the French Open final, the Spaniard clinched a five-set thriller at the Wimbledon final. Although Djokovic defeated Alcaraz at the Cincinnati Masters final, the Serbian will hope to end the year on top and avenge his defeat at the All-England Club.

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