Serbian Tennis Pro Not Worried About Novak Djokovic Playing US Open Without Warm-up Events

Novak Djokovic will continue his hunt for his 25th Grand Slam title at the US Open, where he last lifted the title in 2023.

Serbian Tennis Pro Not Worried About Novak Djokovic Playing US Open Without Warm-up Events

Novak Djokovic (Image via X/Wolfy)

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Does Novak Djokovic need warm-up tournaments before a Grand Slam event? At this stage in his career, nothing, it seems, is working.

He is making a deep run in the Majors, but titles have eluded him since his US Open win in 2023. Since lifting his 24th Major, the Serbian ace has made it to a Grand Slam final just once- at the 2024 Wimbledon.

This year, in the first three Majors, his campaigns ended in the semifinals. At the Australian Open, an injury forced him to give the walkover to World No.3 Alexander Zverev, while at the French Open and Wimbledon, World No.1 Jannik Sinner eliminated him in straight sets.

The US Open is around the corner, and Djokovic deemed it best to skip both the Masters 1000 events before it, just like last year. In Cincinnati, Djokovic last lifted a title in 2023 by beating Carlos Alcaraz.

His compatriot Dusan Lajovic has not participated in an ATP event since the Umag Open. In his latest match, he handed the walkover to Roman Andres Burruchaga in his opening-round clash at the Cancun Challenger. And during an interview with Sport Klub, the 35-year-old said he is not concerned about Djokovic entering the US Open without match practice.

For 97% of other tennis players, I would say yes (it would have a negative effect), but for Novak, no. He did it earlier in his career, maybe not now, but before Australia, he didn’t play a tournament for a long time, which is a break of a month and a half, maybe even more. In reality, the first three rounds of Grand Slams are mostly a warm-up for him, if you consider the statistics and history.

Djokovic has lifted just one title this season – the Geneva Open by beating Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz. Apart from it, he also played the final of the Miami Open, but Jakub Mensik denied him the title.

Patrick McEnroe compares Jannik Sinner to Novak Djokovic and Andre Agassi

Patrick McEnroe was so impressed by Jannik Sinner’s win against Canada’s Gabriel Diallo in the third round of the Cincinnati Masters that he compared the 23-year-old to two tennis greats. Sinner is often called Novak Djokovic 2.0 due to their similarities in playing style. But the four-time Grand Slam champion also reminds McEnroe of Andre Agassi.

Jannik Sinner (2)
Jannik Sinner (Image via X/Jannik Sinner HQ)

Sinner is a combination of Agassi and Djokovic. So so good.

Patrick McEnroe wrote on X

Check out his tweet here:

Djokovic has met Sinner 10 times and trails 4-6 in the head-to-head matchups. He, in fact, has lost five consecutive matches. The last time Djokovic won a match over the World No.1 was in the championship clash of the 2023 ATP Finals.

In Cincinnati, Sinner has reached the semifinals and will lock horns with qualifier Terence Atmane, the Frenchman who was responsible for the elimination of Taylor Fritz in the fourth round and Holger Rune in the quarterfinals. He will meet Atmane for the first time in his career.

Sinner has so far reached four finals and lifted two titles, both in Grand Slam events. He denied Alexander Zverev his career’s first Major title with a straight-set win in the Australian Open final. And after losing the French Open final to his arch-rival Carlos Alcaraz, Sinner emerged triumphant in the Wimbledon final with a four-set win over the five-time Grand Slam champion.

Sinner is playing the tournament as the defending champion. Last year, he beat Frances Tiafoe in the final. Sinner is bidding to defend a Masters 1000 title for the first time. He hasn’t yet captured a title in his category since taking home the Shanghai Masters by beating Djokovic last year.

Also read: Emma Raducanu Opens Up on New Mindset Ahead of the 2025 US Open