Novak Djokovic has spoken openly about the “bitterness” he felt after being booed when he retired injured at last year’s Australian Open.

At the 2025 event, the Serbian produced a remarkable quarter-final against Carlos Alcaraz. Even with a muscle tear and after dropping the opening set, he found a way to recover and defeat the Spaniard in four sets, a result that moved him into a semi-final meeting with Alexander Zverev.

That effort, however, came at a cost. After a long first set against the German, Djokovic made the decision to stop. The 24-time major winner had already taken the court in Melbourne for the final stage of a campaign that once again showed how much his body had been asked to absorb. As he walked off Rod Laver Arena, the reaction from the crowd was hostile despite his record of 10 Australian Open titles. Djokovic answered with a sarcastic thumbs-up.

The episode carried added weight because of what had happened three years earlier. In 2022, he was deported from Australia after losing a court bid to remain in the country for the tournament in Melbourne. The government cancelled his visa on “health and good order” grounds after judges rejected his challenge, linked to his decision not to receive the coronavirus vaccine.

In his new ‘The Wolf in Winter’ documentary, Djokovic described that ruling as “so political”. He later won in 2023, and said the emotion and tension came out in tears. But the difficult reception in 2025 reopened old wounds.

He said in the documentary, “I felt bitterness when I was exiting the court with that atmosphere and people booing. But it is what it is. In some way I understand that people want a match; they’ve paid for the tickets, they want to come and see you perform – I get it.

“I know in my heart if I am able to leave it all out there on the court, particularly aged 37 in the semi-finals of a Grand Slam, I would do it because it might be the last semi-final of my career, I don’t know.

“If I feel like it’s not possible to do what I do on the level that is necessary to be able to play five sets potentially then I am not going to do it, as simple as that. I don’t expect all the people to understand that.”

In an interview with 9 News Australia this week, Djokovic said he holds “many more positives” than negatives from his time in Australia. He added that even after the “difficult and challenging” events of 2022, he did not “hold any grudges”, describing the experience as valuable and saying he always looks forward to returning.

Andy Roddick has interpreted Carlos Alcaraz’s choice to enter the US Open as a strong indication that the Spaniard is not expected to aggravate his wrist problem.

The 23-year-old has been out since mid-April because of the injury, and his long spell away from competition led many to doubt whether he would be ready in time for the final Grand Slam of the season. That view only intensified after he pulled out of the Cincinnati Masters. Then, on Thursday, Alcaraz surprised the tennis world by posting, “Here we go!”, along with an American flag emoji.

For some observers, returning immediately to best-of-five-set matches is a significant gamble for the seven-time major champion. Roddick, however, argued that the decision itself points to confidence behind the scenes. The former world No 1 said Alcaraz and his team would not have made the call unless they believed the risk of a setback in New York was very small.

Speaking on the latest episode of Served, Roddick called the development welcome news for the sport and said he was thrilled to see tennis’ “most exciting player” nearing a comeback. He also suggested that Alcaraz could use the mixed doubles event as a tune-up before the singles draw begins.

Roddick went further, predicting that if Alcaraz does take part in mixed doubles, he could partner 23-time major winner Serena Williams. Alcaraz is not currently on the entry list, though a late addition would not be out of the question.

The American also said it would be a “nightmare” if both Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner missed the US Open, with Sinner having withdrawn from Cincinnati because of a knee issue. The mixed doubles event runs from 24-26 August, while the US Open itself is scheduled for 30 August to 13 September.

On Served, Roddick said, “[This is a] Good day for tennis. I am so happily surprised and my suspicions are wrong and I’m thrilled about it. Tennis’ most exciting player.

“We don’t know what we’re going to get. A lot of the time he pulls shots out of nowhere. I think for him to play this, I have to think the risk of further injury is next to nothing. It seems like he’s happy to accept that.

“Hey, listen, maybe my legs will be tired. Maybe I haven’t played any match reps. I might lose first or second round. I might get [Botic] van de Zandschulp’d (who beat Alcaraz in straight sets at the 2024 US Open).

“This is such a win for tennis. I think he should play mixed doubles if his risk is okay.”

Daniil Medvedev’s North American hardcourt swing has brought only one win across two events, and he is now looking to Winston-Salem as his next step before the US Open.

In Montreal, the Russian was eliminated in the round of 64 by Botic van de Zandschulp, a result that stood out as one of the tournament’s major surprises. He made a modest improvement in Cincinnati, but the run still ended in the round of 32 against Brandon Nakashima.

Reflecting on that defeat, Medvedev was honest about the standard he is chasing. “In general, I can play a hundred times better than I played today. Did I play better than against Botic [Van de Zandschulp] and [Marco] Trungelliti? Probably yes.

“Did I play better than what I’m capable of? Definitely not, not even close, but it’s just that kind of period right now,” he said. “The only thing to do is to try to get better every day.

“If you take today, I was better than yesterday, better than the day before. If I can be a little better every day in some way, then maybe I can find my best level.”

That search for improvement has led him to accept a wildcard into the Winston-Salem Open, the ATP 250 event staged directly before the US Open main draw begins. By taking that route, he will not compete in the US Open Mixed Doubles Challenge with Diana Shnaider.

The choice leaves no doubt about his priorities. The mixed doubles event offers a $1 million prize pot for the winners, while Winston-Salem brings 250 ranking points and $112,420 to the champion.

Medvedev will also get valuable singles matches against Ignacio Buse, Arthur Fery, and Luciano Darderi. With the Winston-Salem Open finishing just two days before the US Open main draw starts, he will hope the extra match play helps him arrive with better form and clearer momentum.