NEW YORK: Serbia’s Novak Djokovic will replace Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz as the men’s world number one after he won his first round game against France’s Alexandre Muller on Monday.
Djokovic, 36, was not allowed to play in the United States last year because he was not vaccinated against Covid-19.
This time he is back to win a record-equalling 24th major.
Matching Australian Margaret Court’s all-time tally is Djokovic’s target and he made a statement start by breezing past 84th-ranked Muller.
“I started tremendously well, we started quite late but nevertheless I was excited to go out on the court – it has been a couple of years,” said Djokovic, who will spend a record-extending 390th week at the top of the ATP rankings.
