New York:

Novak Djokovic says he is treating every Grand Slam tournament as if it is his last as he prepares for his long-awaited return at the US Open next week.

The Serbian star, winner of a record 23 Grand Slam singles titles, will be looking to add a 24th title to his collection in New York next fortnight, taking him two behind Rafael Nadal’s tally of 22.

At 36, Djokovic said on Friday that he is becoming aware that opportunities to improve on his record may be hard to come by, even if he is not considering retirement.

“I don’t know how many more Slams I’ll get,” Djokovic told a news conference.

“I will still keep going. There is no end in my mind at the moment.

“I also understand that things are different when you are 36, so I present to you more appreciation, a little more, treating every Grand Slam as your last Grand Slam in terms of commitment and performance. Have to do

“I really see every Grand Slam I play at the moment as a golden opportunity to make more history.”

Djokovic has not played at the US Open since 2021, when his bid to complete a rare calendar year Grand Slam of all four tennis majors was thwarted by Daniil Medvedev in a painful final loss.

Djokovic was later barred from entry to the United States after refusing to get vaccinated – which put him in trouble with the US government’s COVID-19 travel rules – meaning he missed last year’s US Open .

Djokovic, who opens his campaign on Monday against France’s Alexandre Müller on the Arthur Ashe Main, says he is enjoying his return to what has been described as the most “electric” atmosphere in tennis.

“The first feeling I have is excitement to be back because this is the biggest ground in our sport, the biggest stadium, and certainly the most fun, electric, exciting atmosphere in tennis, night session at Arthur Ashe Playing, no doubt about it,” Djokovic said.

“Get back in front of possibly the loudest fans in the game, the tennis fans in the game.”

In Djokovic’s absence in 2022, Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz has emerged to claim the US Open crown.

Since then, Djokovic and Alcaraz have developed a fierce rivalry, with the Spaniard winning a five-set classic in last month’s Wimbledon final before Djokovic bounced back with an emphatic victory in last weekend’s Cincinnati Open final.

Djokovic said last week’s defeat of Alcaraz in Cincinnati in a nearly four-hour epic felt like winning a Grand Slam.

Djokovic said, “It was one of the best, most exciting and toughest finals, no doubt one of the best three I have been a part of during my career.”

“So many exchanges and rallies. It was so physically difficult and exhausting that I felt very exhausted for the next few days.”

“Those are the moments in matches when I still push myself on a daily basis to practice, sacrifice, commitment day after day. Even at 36, I still have the drive. I love competing. “

While most neutrals will be longing for a Djokovic-Alcaraz rematch in the US Open final on September 10, Djokovic insisted he is thinking nothing more than Monday’s opener.

“I think it’s kind of disrespectful to your next opponent if you’re already thinking about your final,” Djokovic said.

“Even though I’ve had tremendous success… that kind of mindset never really meshed with me.

“But Carlos is No. 1 in the world. He’s definitely one of the best players in the world over the last few years.

“Certainly, from my team, from any other team there’s always an eye on him. I know probably the same applies for me. We follow each other.”