What does Djokovic need to win the US Open 2025?
With another Grand Slam on the horizon, Novak Djokovic is once again eager to leave his mark on tennis history. Can he lift the US Open trophy for a fifth time in 2025 and break the 24 Grand Slam record he currently shares with the legendary Margaret Court?
Although Djokovic has not claimed a Grand Slam title so far in 2025, his experience, resilience, and strategic approach still make him a serious threat. Yet, with young stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in control, the road to victory is far from straightforward.
Alcaraz and Sinner have the edge in physical strength, but...
Djokovic’s approach to preparing for the US Open 2025 has drawn attention, mainly because he has played very little since losing to Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon semifinals in July. By skipping the Masters 1000 events in Toronto and Cincinnati, Djokovic has gone over a month without an official match.
For most players, such a long break could be detrimental, but Dusan Lajovic, Djokovic’s fellow countryman and currently ranked 146th in the world, disagrees. “For 97% of other players, I’d say yes—but for Novak, no,” Lajovic told Sport Klub. He noted that Djokovic has succeeded after long layoffs before, such as at the 2016 Australian Open, where he dominated despite limited matches beforehand. Lajovic believes the first three rounds of the US Open could serve as a “warm-up event” for Djokovic to regain his rhythm.
Lajovic admits the physical strength of young players like Alcaraz and Sinner, who have outlasted Djokovic in marathon Grand Slam matches recently. Sinner’s convincing win over Djokovic at Wimbledon 2025 and Alcaraz’s victory in the 2024 Wimbledon final highlight their endurance. “Alcaraz and Sinner have a slight physical advantage,” Lajovic concedes, also noting the difficulty Djokovic faces in maintaining his form and stamina through back-to-back tough matches. Nevertheless, he remains optimistic, insisting that at his best, “Djokovic is unbeatable.”
According to Lajovic, the key is for Djokovic to save energy for the later rounds. By managing his exertion early and peaking from the quarterfinals onward, Djokovic can compete equally with the top contenders. If the draw is favorable and he avoids early long matches, Djokovic remains a top candidate for the title alongside Sinner and Alcaraz.
The secret for Djokovic to win the US Open 2025 is managing his physical condition—and a little bit of luck.
What is the key to the 25th Grand Slam?
Legendary coach Rick Macci, who formerly worked with Serena and Venus Williams, shared a pragmatic view on Djokovic’s prospects at the US Open 2025. In an exclusive interview with Tennis365, Macci described Djokovic as “the greatest player to ever wield a racket,” but warned that the path to Grand Slam number 25 depends on a favorable draw and maintaining his physical strength.
Seeded seventh at Flushing Meadows, Djokovic could face Alcaraz or Sinner as early as the quarterfinals—a big challenge since both have recently defeated him. Macci believes that to win, “the draw must be favorable,” which could mean Alcaraz or Sinner are eliminated early or suffer injuries. “If things go right, it’s definitely possible,” Macci said, stressing that Djokovic still “ticks all the boxes” to win on hard courts, where his movement, accuracy, and mental fortitude shine.
Djokovic’s 2025 season has been modest by his standards, with only one ATP 250 title. His Grand Slam campaigns have faced many hurdles: retiring against Alexander Zverev in the Australian Open semifinals, losing to Sinner in the Roland Garros and Wimbledon semifinals, and a surprise third-round exit at the 2024 US Open to Alexei Popyrin. Macci warns that long matches in the early rounds could affect Djokovic’s 38-year-old body, making recovery between matches more difficult. “If he has to play several tough matches and then face both those guys, that would be a huge challenge,” Macci said. However, he still believes Djokovic’s experience and adaptability could help him seize any opportunity the draw presents.
Djokovic’s record at the US Open—four titles from ten finals—demonstrates how well he fits the fast hard courts of Flushing Meadows. If he wins in 2025, he will become the oldest singles Grand Slam champion in history, surpassing Ken Rosewall’s record at age 37.
While Alcaraz and Sinner are leading the new generation, Djokovic’s iron will and sharp tactics remain his strongest assets. As Lajovic and Macci have observed, the key lies in physical preparation and a touch of luck. If he manages his condition and takes advantage of a favorable draw, the “Serbian sharpshooter” can once again prove why he’s considered the greatest player of all time.
Links
Contact
Address：UNIT 1804 SOUTH BANK TOWER, 55 UPPER GROUND,LONDON ENGLAND SE1 9E
Number：+85259695367
E-mali：[email protected]
App
