"They both lost" - Novak Djokovic avenges his younger brothers' defeats; beats Moldovan Radu Albot in US Open 2024 1R

Novak Djokovic was motivated by his younger brothers’ previous losses to his 2024 US Open opponent, Radu Albot, during their first-round match on Monday, August 26. Before his straight-sets victory over the Moldovan, the Serb made known his intentions of “avenging” his siblings.

Djokovic, the second seed and defending champion, hit the ground running at the US Open with a 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 victory against Albot after two hours and eight minutes of play. The Serb hit an astonishing 10 double faults during the match but made up for those with eight aces. Albot, meanwhile, managed just two aces against three double faults.

When it came to break points, Novak Djokovic converted six of 16 across the three sets, whereas his Moldovan opponent broke him once—in the second set—on his third and final break point of the match.

Interestingly, before taking the Arthur Ashe Stadium for their match, the Serb disclosed that while this was his first meeting with Radu Albot, both his younger brothers, Marko and Djordje, who briefly played tennis professionally, had suffered defeats to the 34-year-old.

In 2013, Djordje was beaten by Albot 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 at the Bergamo Challenger. Marko, meanwhile, was crushed in straight sets in Sarajevo (6-2, 6-3) in 2012.

"I've done my homework - actually both of my younger brothers faced him and they both lost to him," he recalled during his interview in the US Open passageway before his match.

"So hopefully I can avenge my brothers tonight," he said, laughing.

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Novak Djokovic confirms repeat US Open clash with compatriot Laslo Djere after win against Radu Albot

The World No. 2 pictured with Djere (R) at the 2022 Serbia Open - Source: Getty

Novak Djokovic is set for a repeat clash against his compatriot, Laslo Djere, in the second round, following their high-octane third-round match from the 2023 US Open. Djere beat Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff in five sets to confirm his place in the second round.

During last year’s campaign, the World No. 2, who eventually went on to win the title, suffered a huge scare against Djere, as the fellow Serb stole the opening two sets 4-6, 4-6. However, in true Novak Djokovic fashion, the 24-time Grand Slam champion staged a miraculous comeback to seal the victory 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-1, 6-3.

About their upcoming match-up, the 37-year-old said:

"I saw him in the locker room, and we congratulated each other (on the first-round win)," he said in his post-match press conference.

"It's great I mean for Serbian tennis, obviously, that two Serbian players are facing each other. It's a guaranteed third round for one of the Serbian guys. Hopefully it's going to be me, but Djere is a guy that really likes playing on a big stage," he added.

Novak Djokovic and Laslo Djere will battle for a spot in the third round on Wednesday, August 28.