Albot: "I will step onto the court against Djokovic thinking that I can win"

Radu Albot is living the final moments of his professional career at 34, and in the US Open 2024, he has earned the chance to have a memorable experience facing Novak Djokovic. His chances of causing a historic upset are nearly non-existent, but the Moldovan has not lost hope.

There must be a bittersweet feeling surviving a Grand Slam qualifier only to be confronted with the greatest player in history in the first round. This is the situation Radu Albot will experience at this US Open 2024, where he will face Novak Djokovic for the first time in his career. At 33, the Moldovan player is far from his peak, but he showcases great competitiveness and dreams of displaying an outstanding version of himself at the Arthur Ashe Stadium, as reported by atptour.com.

"My reaction upon learning that I would be playing against Novak was that it was a great opportunity to live a unique experience. I have never been on the same court as him. I played against Roger twice, trained with Rafa several times, but I had never shared a match or training with Djokovic," says a man who reached 39th in the world in 2019 and has reached the third round in all majors except Roland Garros.

Asked about how he approaches this monumental challenge, Albot is clear. "I won't regret anything. I look forward to the match; it's a great challenge for me, a test of my capabilities. There's great anticipation, I've received many messages of support, and I know the match will be broadcast worldwide. I step onto the court to win, but I understand perfectly the challenge of facing him. If I play great tennis, I'll leave content," he warns.

- Albot believes Djokovic will be a tougher opponent than Federer was for him years ago

"I am aware that Djokovic is a tougher opponent than Federer, whom I faced twice. Having faced him, as well as other great players like Murray, can help me manage the emotions of a match like this. I am curious to see how the fact that it's a best-of-five sets match will affect it. I must be mentally prepared to make necessary adjustments on the fly," says a man who has not had an easy journey to becoming a professional player.

In the twilight of his career, ranked 139th in the world, he wants to cling to professional tennis. "This sport is not at all easy, especially for someone from a country with little tennis tradition and where I have received minimal financial support. I am proud to represent my country, and I would love for everyone to know about it and for people in Moldova to watch this match and appreciate what I have achieved in my career. One can reach the elite from a small and non-tennis tradition country," excitedly stated Radu Albot ahead of his showdown with Novak Djokovic at the US Open 2024.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Albot: "Saldré a la pista ante Djokovic pensando que puedo ganar"