Novak Djokovic's physical condition has become a focal point as the US Open commences, with recent health issues and his advancing age raising questions about his ability to contend for a record 25th Grand Slam title. However, the withdrawal of Jannik Sinner and the uncertain readiness of Carlos Alcaraz present a potentially favorable draw for the 39-year-old.
Djokovic experienced a visible physical struggle during the Cincinnati Open earlier this month, an event meant to serve as his tune-up for the US Open. In his first match since Wimbledon, against Thiago Agustin Tirante, he exhibited distress in the heat and humidity, appearing to vomit in a towel during a lengthy service game. Despite his efforts, he lost the match, and his subsequent comments indicated a recurring health issue. "It’s just a condition that I have, health-wise, that has been bothering me for the past couple of years," Djokovic stated, noting it causes "a lot of issues, especially when it is humid and it is hot."
This turn of events has led to speculation among tennis insiders. Paul Annacone, a coach and former player, questioned the potential impact of a chronic illness over a two-week, best-of-five-set tournament. Patrick McEnroe, former player and ESPN analyst, observed that Djokovic "seemed quite sick" in Cincinnati and suggested a virus could have been exacerbated by the heat. However, McEnroe anticipates Djokovic will be "pretty dialed in for New York," especially with the prospect of night matches offering cooler conditions.
Djokovic's current standing is amplified by the circumstances surrounding his main rivals. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the US Open due to a knee injury, and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz is returning from a wrist injury that has kept him sidelined since April. These two players have dominated recent Grand Slam tournaments, winning 10 of the last 11 titles between them, and have been responsible for many of Djokovic's recent major losses. With Sinner absent and Alcaraz potentially unprepared, Djokovic faces what some describe as a "golden opportunity."
"This is exactly the scenario that validates his continuing to play," said Jon Wertheim, a writer for Sports Illustrated. "You catch a couple of breaks in the draw — Sinner’s not here, Alcaraz is a big question mark. And suddenly, maybe this is the 25th major. Maybe this is the set of circumstances he’s been waiting for."
Despite the focus on his age and recent health setbacks, Djokovic's performance in majors has remained remarkably consistent. His last Grand Slam title was at the 2023 US Open, and he reached the Australian Open final this year, defeating Sinner in the semifinals, and the Wimbledon semifinals. His results in major tournaments often diverge from his performance in regular events, making his overall season record less indicative of his Grand Slam potential.
The challenges of late-career play extend beyond physical recovery, with Djokovic himself acknowledging the mental toll. A new documentary, "Novak Djokovic: The Wolf in Winter," explores his complex relationship with the end of his career and the increasing demands of maintaining his elite status. In the film, Djokovic discusses the mental fatigue, stating, "It’s like the brain has had enough."
Experts like Annacone express confidence in Djokovic's ability to reach the final stages but question his capacity to sustain peak performance over multiple best-of-five-set matches. This perceived vulnerability offers hope to competitors, many of whom no longer feel the same intimidation factor they once did. "There’s definitely many more players that go out there thinking they’ve got a decent shot against him, especially on a hard court," McEnroe commented. "More to the point, I think a lot of players should feel like that they can outlast him."
Brad Gilbert, a former player and coach, notes that younger players, who do not carry the history of repeated losses to Djokovic, approach matches with different expectations. "He’s not playing the same, and so they go out on the court with different expectations," Gilbert said.
Djokovic himself has recently proposed radical rule changes, such as four-game sets or no-ad scoring, to shorten matches while preserving the best-of-five format. While some have interpreted this as an attempt to accommodate his own physical limitations, others suggest it stems from a desire to make the game more accessible for younger audiences and their attention spans.
As the US Open begins, Djokovic returns to a familiar setting with a unique set of circumstances. While the question of his physical endurance remains, the path to a potential 25th Grand Slam title appears to be clearer than in recent memory, albeit with lingering doubts about his body's ability to withstand the rigors of a two-week tournament.