Novak Djokovic may have made the same mistake for the second year in a row before the US Open

Follow us on Google Discover

Later this month, Novak Djokovic will begin his 19th campaign at the US Open, in his ongoing pursuit of a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title.

The Serb’s last triumph on the biggest stages in tennis came at Flushing Meadows in 2023, and since then has failed to clinch a quarter-century of majors.

He made the final of Wimbledon in 2024, and so far in 2025, he has advanced to the semifinals at the Australian Open, Roland Garros, and most recently at the All England Club, where Djokovic bowed out to Jannik Sinner.

At 38 years of age, his window to secure number 25 is closing by the day, and his recent choices may have decreased his chances of achieving the feat even more.

Novak Djokovic’s repeated mistake ahead of the US Open

Djokovic was praised by some for making the decision to opt out of the Cincinnati Open, with pundits suggesting, at his age, his body now needs more time to recover.

While there’s certainly truth to that argument, there’s evidence to suggest that missing both Masters 1000 tournaments during the swing won’t bode well for his chances in New York.

Last season, Djokovic did not feature at either the Canadian Open or in Cincinnati, essentially going straight from Wimbledon to the US Open.

Djokovic’s 2024 season after Wimbledon:

• US Open – August 27th to August 31st
• Shanghai Masters – October 5th to October 13th

He got through his first match at Arthur Ashe Stadium and advanced after a second-round walkover, but fell in the third round to Alexei Popyrin.

Rest and recovery is important at Djokovic’s age, but as is matchplay, particularly ahead of a Grand Slam event.

Though you can never bet against the 24-time major champion, it’s hard to see him besting the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Sinner over five sets, having not played a tour-level event in well over a month.

The 2025 US Open could mark Novak Djokovic’s last chance at major number 25

Many considered Wimbledon 2025 Djokovic’s last chance at tying Roger Federer‘s record of eight championships in South West London, and now the US Open may mark his last best shot at winning a 25th major crown.

Sinner and Alcaraz are currently dominating the Grand Slam scene, with the last seven titles split between them.

As time goes on, the ‘new two’ will only continue to get better, and Djokovic will only continue to get older.

While he is still capable of reaching the latter stages of the biggest tournaments, an upset by another star against Sinner or Alcaraz could see him go all the way in the Big Apple.