Novak Djokovic’s journey at the US Open 2024 took an unexpected turn as he advanced to the third round following the retirement of his opponent, Laslo Djere, due to injury. The match, which was highly anticipated as a battle between two Serbian players, ended prematurely, leaving fans with a sense of unfulfillment.

Djokovic, the tournament’s top seed, had been expected to face a tough challenge from Djere, who has been steadily climbing the ATP rankings. The first set saw both players displaying high-level tennis, with Djokovic taking control early on. However, as the match progressed, it became evident that Djere was struggling physically, frequently calling for medical assistance.

Midway through the second set, Djere made the difficult decision to retire, citing a recurring injury that had flared up during the match. The unexpected conclusion left the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd stunned, as they had been eager to witness a full contest between the two compatriots.

In his post-match interview, Djokovic expressed his disappointment at the way the match ended. “It’s not what we expected,” Djokovic said. “I know how hard Laslo has worked to get here, and it’s unfortunate that his run had to end this way. I wish him a speedy recovery and hope to see him back on the court soon.”

While the victory allows Djokovic to advance, the manner in which it came leaves unanswered questions about his form and readiness as he continues his quest for a record-breaking 24th Grand Slam title. As he moves forward in the tournament, all eyes will be on Djokovic to see if he can maintain his dominance and capitalize on this unplanned early finish.

For Djere, the focus now shifts to recovery, with hopes that he can bounce back stronger in the upcoming tournaments.