Novak Djokovic arrived in New York this week declaring himself in peak condition as he chases a record-extending 25th grand slam singles title at the US Open, the season’s final major.
The 37-year-old Serbian, already the most decorated men’s singles player in the open era, told reporters during his pre-tournament media availability that he could not have prepared any better for the hard-court major at Flushing Meadows. “I’m as best as I can be,” Djokovic said, according to the Guardian.
His return to New York comes amid what analysts and former players have described as one of the most open men’s draws in years. With several leading figures in the men’s game struggling for consistency and others returning from injury, Djokovic sees an opportunity to further distance himself from his two greatest rivals, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, in the all-time standings.
Djokovic currently holds 24 grand slam singles titles. Federer retired with 20, while Nadal, hampered by persistent injuries, has 22. A 25th major would extend Djokovic’s lead and reinforce his claim to be considered the greatest player in the history of the sport.
What happened
Djokovic touched down in New York and immediately began preparations for the tournament, which begins next week at Arthur Ashe Stadium. His arrival was accompanied by a brief media session in which he projected confidence about both his physical state and his chances.
Tournament organizers have released the main draw, and Djokovic will enter as one of the favourites alongside world number one Jannik Sinner of Italy and Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion. Sinner and Alcaraz have split the last three grand slam titles between them, with Sinner winning the Australian Open in January.
Djokovic has not won a grand slam since the 2023 US Open, his fourth title at Flushing Meadows. He reached the final of Wimbledon in 2024 but lost to Alcaraz in straight sets. His form in the early part of 2026 has been uneven by his standards, with several early tournament exits, but he has shown flashes of his best tennis on the North American hard courts in recent weeks.
Also commanding attention heading into the women’s draw is Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, who has indicated her ambitions include reaching the world number one ranking. Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus currently holds that position, having won two of the last three grand slams. Rybakina won Wimbledon in 2022 and has reached multiple major finals since.
Why it matters
For Djokovic, the US Open represents both a chance at history and a test of longevity. No man in the open era has won a grand slam singles title at 38, and Djokovic would become the oldest men’s champion at the US Open in the modern era if he were to lift the trophy.
The tournament also carries weight for the broader men’s tour. The sport has been searching for a successor to the Djokovic-Federer-Nadal era, and while Sinner and Alcaraz have established themselves as the leading figures of the new generation, neither has yet demonstrated the kind of sustained dominance that defined the previous era. A Djokovic victory would sharpen the contrast between his longevity and the inconsistency of his younger rivals.
For the women’s draw, Rybakina’s pursuit of the top ranking adds a subplot to a tournament that has been marked by the absence of several high-profile players through injury. Iga Swiatek of Poland, a five-time major winner, has not played since early summer because of a shoulder issue, leaving the women’s field unusually open.
Analysis: The economic significance of a Djokovic run should not be understated. A 25th grand slam title would generate global headlines and likely boost television ratings and ticket sales for the remainder of the hard-court season. Tennis has struggled to maintain casual fan interest in the post-Federer era, and any narrative that extends one of the sport’s great rivalries tends to drive engagement.
Background and context
Djokovic turned professional in 2003 and won his first grand slam at the 2008 Australian Open. He has since compiled a career that includes extended periods at world number one, the only man to hold all four major titles simultaneously on three separate occasions, and a longstanding rivalry with Federer and Nadal that is widely regarded as the greatest in the sport’s history.
His US Open record is exceptional. He won his first title in New York in 2011 and has returned to the final on multiple occasions, though he has also suffered shock losses at Flushing Meadows, including a fourth-round defeat in 2024 to Alexei Popyrin of Australia.
The hard courts of the US Open have historically suited Djokovic’s game, with his defensive baselining and returning ability particularly effective on the faster surface. He enters this year’s tournament with a 86-12 career record at the event.
Rybakina, 25, has been one of the most consistent performers on the women’s tour over the past three seasons. Her power-based game is well suited to the hard courts, and she reached the final of the Australian Open in 2025 before losing to Sabalenka. Her stated goal of reaching world number one would require a deep run in New York and a stumble from Sabalenka.
Analysis: Djokovic’s pursuit of a 25th major also raises questions about the future of men’s tennis. The sport’s governing bodies have invested heavily in promoting Sinner and Alcaraz as the faces of the next era, and a continued run of grand slam success for Djokovic complicates that narrative. The tennis calendar, increasingly crowded and physically demanding, has been criticized by former players for shortening careers, yet Djokovic has continued to compete at the highest level well into his late thirties.
What to watch next
The first round of the US Open begins Monday at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Djokovic’s opening opponent has not yet been confirmed, but tournament officials indicated he will play in the evening session on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The men’s draw includes several dangerous floaters, including 2022 finalist Casper Ruud of Norway, former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev, and home favourite Taylor Fritz, who reached the final in 2024. Any of those players could present a difficult challenge in the later rounds.
In the women’s draw, Sabalenka will attempt to hold off Rybakina and a resurgent Coco Gauff of the United States, who won the 2023 US Open and has rebuilt her form after a difficult start to the season. Gauff’s status as a potential title contender adds a domestic angle to a tournament that typically draws strong American interest.
Other players to monitor include Jessica Pegula, also of the United States, who has reached multiple major quarterfinals, and Jasmine Paolini of Italy, a two-time finalist in 2024.
Analysis: The conditions in New York could play a decisive role. The US Open is often played in high heat and humidity, and physical endurance frequently becomes a factor in the later rounds. Djokovic’s fitness has rarely been questioned, but his recovery between matches will be closely watched, particularly if he is forced to play five-set matches in the early rounds.
Conclusion
Djokovic’s confidence heading into the US Open reflects both his trademark self-belief and the genuine opportunity presented by the 2026 draw. A 25th grand slam title would not only extend his record but also cement his legacy as the most successful men’s singles player in the history of the sport.
The tournament will also serve as a test of whether the new generation, led by Sinner and Alcaraz, is ready to fully claim the men’s game, and whether Sabalenka can fend off the challenges of Rybakina and Gauff in the women’s draw.
For Djokovic, the immediate focus is on the first round and the familiar routine of a grand slam week. For everyone else, the question is whether this is finally the tournament where the passing of the era gives way to something new, or whether the man who has defined men’s tennis for two decades will once again refuse to yield.
Sources
The Guardian (Guardian International)
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Story synopsis gathered from: Guardian International — source
