Djokovic starts quest vs Albot

NEW YORK – Serbian superstar Novak Djokovic still feels the pull of tennis history as he aims to become the first man in 16 years to successfully defend his US Open title.

Second-seeded Djokovic, riding the high of his Olympic triumph in Paris, is chasing a raft of records at Flushing Meadows, where he opens his campaign on Monday night against Moldovan qualifier Radu Albot.

The 37-year-old can join Jimmy Connors, Pete Sampras and Roger Federer as the oldest Open era winners of the championship, and with a 25th Grand Slam title claim the outright record for most ever – a mark he currently shares with Australian great Margaret Court.

He would also become the first man to repeat in New York since Federer won five straight US Opens from 2004-2008.

“I didn’t know about that,” Djokovic said. “I knew it was probably the case for five, 10 years, but I didn’t know it was that long.”

“Hopefully that changes this year. That’s the goal.”

A victory would see Djokovic extend his streak of years with at least one Grand Slam title to seven.