Novak Djokovic’s image needs more work than his tennis game at the US Open
NEW YORK — The rubber soles of his shoes squealed like the brakes of a subway car grinding to a halt as Novak Djokovic sprinted, hit, slid and violently changed direction on the hard court in Louis Armstrong Stadium. His grunts were magnified by the echo in the cavernous, nearly empty arena. Hearing his roar of triumph, children — had any been present among the roughly 200, socially distanced onlookers at this fan-free spectacle — might have cried. Tennis is alive and well in New York. The unique soundtrack to a typical Djokovic match was a comforting score again Saturday as he defeated Milos Raonic in three sets to win the Western & Southern Open — the first official ATP event after the long hiatus triggered in mid-March by the coronavirus pandemic. The tournament was relocated from its traditional home in Cincinnati, partly to serve as a safe tuneup for the US Open, which begins Monday in the same controlled environment. Djokovic, who for a long time had expressed reservations about even taking part in this “double in the bubble,” appears to be tuned. As well he should be, given that he’s coming to New…