Not at their best, Djoko, Rafa through
Defending champion overcomes pain in right arm to join Rafael Nadal in the second round
NEW YORK: Novak Djokovic doublefaulted, then shook his right arm and grimaced.
Seconds later Monday night, a weak serve produced a wince from the U.S. Open’s defending champion, then was followed by a missed forehand that gave away a set — the first set dropped by Djokovic in the first round of any Grand Slam tournament since 2010.
While he managed to emerge with a 6-3, 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 victory over Jerzy Janowicz of Poland, there were plenty of signs of trouble, starting with a visit from a trainer who massaged Djokovic’s bothersome arm after only five games.
Asked about his health during an on-court interview, Djokovic deflected the question, saying, “I don’t think it’s necessary to talk about this now. I’m through. I’m taking it day by day.”
When the subject arose at his news conference, Djokovic again avoided addressing the topic, saying the trainer’s visit “was just prevention; it’s all good.”
During the match, Djokovic hit first serves around 100 mph, sometimes slower — 25 mph or so below what’s normal for him. He hit second serves in the low 80s mph.
Earlier, Rafael Nadal stood near the net after winning his first Grand Slam match in three months — 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 against Denis Istomin — and unraveled the thick wrap of white tape protecting his all-important left wrist.
He said he’s still not back to hitting his forehand the way he does when he’s at his best.
I’M NEW TO THIS: PUIG AFTER LOSS
Sure, Monica Puig would have loved another week between the Olympics and the U.S. Open to “come down from the high” of becoming Puerto Rico’s first gold medallist.
Then again, that’s not how the tennis calendar works.
For now, she’s a 22-year-old who was seeded 32nd at the U.S. Open and lost her first-round match in straight sets. Zheng Saisai, ranked 61st, upset Puig 6-4, 6-2 on Monday.
“These are new waters for me, new territory,” Puig said. “I’m going to have to start getting used to it.”
She noted that Angelique Kerber, the player she beat in the gold-medal match, was able to come right back from a draining run in Rio de Janeiro. “She’s been there,” Puig said. “She knows what it’s like.”