SportsDjokovic's early US Open exit sets focus on Olympic gold dream

Djokovic's early US Open exit sets focus on Olympic gold dream

Novak Djoković on board an Air Serbia plane
Novak Djoković on board an Air Serbia plane
Images source: © Facebook | Air Serbia
Sebastian Szczytkowski

2 September 2024 22:24

Novak Djokovic did not stay long in New York, as he was eliminated from the Grand Slam US Open in the first week. He returned to Europe from the United States with Air Serbia. On the plane, a surprise awaited the renowned tennis player.

The Serbian concluded the season without a Grand Slam tournament victory. Will he consider 2024 a sports failure because of this? Likely not. As he has said from the start, his primary goal is winning a gold medal at the Olympic Games. In the Olympic tournament, Novak Djokovic had no equals. The joy of the tennis player and his compatriots over the success in Paris was immense.

At the US Open, the Serbian representative stopped after three matches. Novak Djokovic defeated Radu Albot and Laslo Djere, then lost to Alexei Popyrin. The competition in the second week of the Grand Slam tournament is already progressing without Novak Djokovic's participation.

After being eliminated from the US Open, the Serbian did not stay long in the United States. He decided to pack up and return to Europe quickly. Where will he be stationed shortly? Time will tell, as Novak Djokovic has his favourite places in Serbia, Montenegro, and Monte Carlo.

It is known, however, that Novak Djokovic returned from the United States on an Air Serbia flight. The tennis player chose the national carrier, which was recently uncomfortable during another sporting event. This spring, the Serbian football team flew to Euro 2024 in Germany on a chartered flight with Croatian Airlines.

Air Serbia took advantage of Novak Djokovic's visit on board the plane and prepared a surprise. The tennis player saw cushions on the seats with covers featuring the number 24, symbolising Novak Djokovic's victories in Grand Slam tournaments. The Olympic champion also received a gift from the airline, and one of its planes has long borne Novak's name.

The crew took a group photo with Novak Djokovic, which they shared on social media. Since the tennis player had a long journey from New York ahead, he chose casual tracksuits for the flight, which departed at 15:00 GMT.

  • NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 30: Novak Djokovic of Serbia in action against Alexei Popyrin of the Australia during their Men's Singles match on Day Five of the 2024 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 30, 2024 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Fatih Aktas/Anadolu via Getty Images)
  • NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 30: Novak Djokovic of Serbia in action against Alexei Popyrin of the Australia during their Men's Singles match on Day Five of the 2024 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 30, 2024 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Fatih Aktas/Anadolu via Getty Images)
  • NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 30: Novak Djokovic of Serbia in action against Alexei Popyrin of the Australia during their Men's Singles match on Day Five of the 2024 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 30, 2024 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Fatih Aktas/Anadolu via Getty Images)
  • NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 30: Novak Djokovic of Serbia in action against Alexei Popyrin of the Australia during their Men's Singles match on Day Five of the 2024 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 30, 2024 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Fatih Aktas/Anadolu via Getty Images)
  • NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 30: Novak Djokovic of Serbia in action against Alexei Popyrin of the Australia during their Men's Singles match on Day Five of the 2024 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 30, 2024 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Fatih Aktas/Anadolu via Getty Images)
  • NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 30: Novak Djokovic of Serbia in action against Alexei Popyrin of the Australia during their Men's Singles match on Day Five of the 2024 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 30, 2024 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Fatih Aktas/Anadolu via Getty Images)
[1/6] NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 30: Novak Djokovic of Serbia in action against Alexei Popyrin of the Australia during their Men's Singles match on Day Five of the 2024 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 30, 2024 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Fatih Aktas/Anadolu via Getty Images)Images source: © GETTY | Anadolu