Novak Djokovic will skip this year’s US Open. The Serb, who refuses to vaccinate against the Covid virus, withdrew from the tournament after it became clear that he wouldn’t be allowed to travel to the United States. It’s the second hard-court slam he’ll miss in 2022 after his ignominious exit from Australian Open contention. Holed up in a Melbourne hotel for days, the country’s Immigration Minister had his will, forcing the Djoker to exit the show. But the 35-year-old wishes no repeat of the long drawn out, ultimately fraught scenes from earlier in the year. 

Flushing Meadows will be poorer for his absence. But if Djoko fans are searching for comfort crumbs, we delve into his catalogue of New York classics to pick out three that will help ease his non-presence. 

Also Read: Djokovic to skip US Open because he can’t travel to States unvaccinated

#1. US Open 2005 first round, Djokovic vs Gael Monfils 

Not quite the star names on tour, two bubbling teenagers graced the outer courts of the Meadows. Djokovic was far from the gluten-free genius of later years, but his talent was unmistakable. His French opponent was no mug, however. Over the years, Monfils has built a reputation for electric, often acrobatic shot-making, which was on display in this teenage tete-a-tete. But as the match wore on, crowds started to swell. After three tight sets, the Serb was 2-1 ahead. But Monfils hit a hot streak in the fourth, blanking him 0-6 to set up a final set tussle. The wind was in Monfils’ sails, but shades of Djoker doggedness came to the brim in a nervy fifth set. After over four hours, the Belgrade boy came through 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (5), 0-6, 7-5 to register his first US Open main-round win. 

#2. US Open 2010 semifinal, Djokovic vs Federer

The Swiss had Djokovic’s number in those early skirmishes. In 2007, Federer cruised to a straight-set win in the US Open finals. He was similarly dominant in the 2009 semis. 2010, however, marked a subtle shift in balance. Federer’s authority was coming under increasing assault from a certain Mallorcan, but on this tense New York night, the Djoker stood up among the chasing pack. The near four-hour duel reduced Roger to a sweaty pile, itself a rarity back in the day. After trading two sets apiece, the semi dragged to a fifth. In the decider, Nole gave a glimpse of his steely nerves. 4-5 and 15-40 down on serve, he saved two match points with ice-cold daring. On second-serve for the first, Novak laced a crosscourt pass. For the next, he landed a line-grazing forehand winner. He closed the game, broke Federer in the next and saved a break point on serve en route to a career-affirming win. 5-7, 6-1, 5-7, 6-2, 7-5, it read in the end. 

Also Read: Top five Novak Djokovic controversies

#3. 2011 US Open final, Djokovic vs Nadal

Months before their near six-hour epic in Melbourne, Djokovic and Nadal crossed swords in the US final for the second season running. The Spaniard had breezed to a four-set win a year ago. But in 2011, the Serb had outfoxed Nadal at Wimbledon for his first Championship. Cut to New York, and Novak was burnishing his new-found dominance. Coming off yet another five-setter against Federer- winning this time from two sets down- the Serb did not give Nadal a sniff. Wrapped in four sets, he had his first US Open title. The southpaw briefly teased a comeback after winning the third set in a tiebreak. However, Novak hit back with a fourth-set masterclass to win 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-1.