Novak Djokovic says it might be disrespectful to his first-round opponent to already begin enthusiastic about a possible US Open closing showdown with Carlos Alcaraz. The duo have placed on two epic matches during the last couple of months, at Wimbledon and Cincinnati.

Djokovic takes on world No 84 Alexandre Muller in his opening match at Flushing Meadows on Monday. And he's absolutely focussed on his first ever assembly with the Frenchman.

He mentioned: "Tennis is such sport where, for example, in a tournament like Cincinnati [Open], you play five matches in five days. You can't really be thinking about what happens in three or four days. You're just thinking about the next day, your next opponent.

"I feel it is also in a method disrespectful to your subsequent opponent in case you're already enthusiastic about your finals matchup. Even although I've had super success, possibly you possibly can argue that I may already begin enthusiastic about later phases and phases within the event, however that form of mindset by no means actually resonated with me."

Djokovic defined that he doesn't tailor his apply classes on his early-round opponents, however does make tweaks when he faces a extremely difficult opponent.

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He added: "I would not say particularly. I imply, relies upon if there's a potential matchup coming nearer, then sure, I'd be in all probability pondering a bit extra engaged on sure tactical implementations on the court docket, apply court docket, that I may use towards him in my favour."

Alcaraz is the defending US Open champion but nobody has been able to win the title in consecutive years since Roger Federer in 2008. Explaining why it is so difficult to do so, Djokovic said: "It may very well be the truth that it’s ultimately of the season in a method. End of the Grand Slam season.

"It’s the last Grand Slam of the year. It’s been eight tough months of tennis for all the players. Maybe that’s the reason why you would probably see more surprises in this Grand Slam than maybe some other slams. That’s the only thing that really comes to my mind. Yeah, nothing else."

Djokovic, who has misplaced six of his 9 US Open finals, added: "Well, I actually lost more finals here than I won in my career. My score in the finals of US Open is the worst of all slams I think. There’s some very close finals that I lost; some that I won.

"But typically I feel the consistency of outcomes right here has been fairly good. I imply, I’ve performed most of my US Open editions at the least quarterfinals or higher all through the final 15 years."