Novak Djokovic has just won a rather uncharacteristic match against Holger Vitus Nodskov Rune in the US Open first round on the Arthur Ashe Stadium. Nevertheless, the day after, the local crowd will witness another Serbian player in action on the same court as Olga Danilovic will take on Naomi Osaka in the first match of the day.
Novak Djokovic has been mentoring Olga for a long time, and during the press conference that followed his first-round match, he was asked to comment about the potential of the young Serbian player.
Novak commented:
“I followed Olga ever since she was very, very young. Her father is one of the greatest basketball players of all time in our country. Played in NBA, as well. She’s got great genes for sport.
She won the WTA title, I think in Russia a few years back. She broke the top 100. Then she struggled in the last couple of years really to find that level and be consistent.”
Djokovic sings that Danilovic has all the weapons to have a great career in tennis also using her strong physicality.
“She’s really young. I mean, she’s 20 years old. She’s got the goods. She’s really, really strong, fit, tall, lefty. Don’t have many good lefty servers, I guess in both men’s and women’s game. I think it’s quite an advantage; if she’s serving well, she can do damage to a lot of players.”
Djokovic also revealed that Olga asked him what it feels to be on the Centre Court on such big stage. Nole commented:
“She’s excited. She was asking me about how it feels to be on the big stage. Of course, you can say something, but then you really need to experience it.
Hopefully, she can use that to her own advantage, the motivation and inspiration, to be at the biggest stage to play against one of the best players of the world.
She’s a really nice girl. She’s pumped. Let’s see. She doesn’t have much experience really. It’s going to be the first match on the center court of really any slam for her. I’m hoping for the best for her.”
Djokovic at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2021
Currently the world no.1, Djokovic owns a 39-5 match record in 2021. The Serbian is playing at the U.S. Open where he beat Holger Vitus Nodskov Rune 6-1 6-75 6-2 6-1.
Novak Djokovic will take on the world no.121 Tallon Griekspoor in the 2nd round. They have never played each other up to now in top competitions.
Novak conquered 4 titles in 2021 at the Australian Open, in Belgrade, at the French Open and in Wimbledon. Novak reached the final in Rome (Internazionali BNL d’Italia).
The Serbian won 85 titles in his career: 48 on hard courts, 17 on clay courts, 13 on indoor courts and 7 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Holger Vitus Nodskov Rune in 2021
Ranked no.145 (career-high), Rune played his last match on the 31st of August when he surrendered to world no.1 Novak Djokovic 6-1 6-7(5) 6-2 6-1 in the 1st round in U.S. Open (draw).
This season Holger has an overall 55-18 match record. The Dane has won 4 titles in 2021 Bressuire, in the Biella 7 Challenger, in the San Marino Challenger and in the Verona Challenger. Rune got to the final in M15 Manacor, in M25 Villena and in the Oeiras 4 Challenger.
Novak Djokovic and Holger Vitus Nodskov Rune clashed against each other just on 1 occasion. Their record is 1-0 for Djokovic. When they played, Novak Djokovic won 6-1 6-7(5) 6-2 6-1 in the 1st round in New York (U.S. Open) on the 31st of August 2021.
In the video below you can watch the highlights.
Osaka at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2021
Now the world no.3, the Japanese owns a compiled 18-5 win-loss record in 2021. Osaka is currently playing at the U.S. Open where she toppled Marie Bouzkova 6-4 6-1.
Naomi Osaka will fight against the world no.145 Olga Danilovic in the 2nd round on Wednesday at 12:00 pm on Arthur Ashe Stadium. In the past, they have never played each other till now in top tournaments.
The Japanese clinched 1 title in 2021 at the Australian Open.
The Japanese won 7 titles in her career: all of them conquered on hard courts. (See the list of her titles)
Danilovic at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2021
Ranked world no.145, Olga achieved a composed 20-14 win-loss record in 2021. Danilovic is now competing at the U.S. Open where she conquered Paula Ormaechea 6-2 7-5, Sachia Vickery 6-3 6-4, Caroline Dolehide 6-4 0-6 6-2 and Alycia Parks 6-3 7-5.
Olga Danilovic will square off with the world no.3 Naomi Osaka in the 2nd round on Wednesday at 12:00 pm on Arthur Ashe Stadium. In the past, they have never competed against each other up to now in top tournaments.
Naomi Osaka and Olga Danilovic have never played each other until now in top events.
