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Novak Djokovic: ‘I’m not feeling added US Open pressure despite Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal absence’


Novak Djokovic insists he doesn’t feel any added pressure despite the absence of rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal as he is expected to win no matter who he plays.

The Serb star is the overwhelming favourite to win the US pen this year, with only really Dominic Thiem and Daniil Medvedev credited with a realistic, if still outside, chance of stopping him.

However, he says that expectation does not increase the pressure on him, and he certainly didn’t show any signs of creaking against Kyle Edmund on Wednesday.

“I donā€™t feel any additional pressure compared with the pressure that is always there,” Djokovic told Eurosport in their revolutionary Cub studio.

“As a top player you are expected to win every single match, especially on the big stage. I learned over the years how to face the pressure.

“I recall a wonderful quote from Billie-Jean King on the entrance to the Arthur Ashe stadium – ā€œPressure is a privilegeā€.

“I stand by that kind of quote and kind of a mindset. I accept it, itā€™s not the last time Iā€™ll get to play on the centre court.

“I think my experience helps. Of course, in 99% of the matches against you, your opponents donā€™t have anything to lose against you and they are going to go for their best tennis.

“But thatā€™s good for me, I think, because it makes me bring my A-Game and intensity from the very beginning.

 


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Michael Graham, Tennishead.net Editor, has been a professional sports journalist for his whole career and is especially passionate about tennis. He's been the Editor of Tennishead.net for over 5 years and loves watching live tennis by visiting as many tournaments as possible. Michael specialises in writing in-depth features about the ATP & WTA tours.