Novak Djokovic Practices with Mixed Doubles Partner Olga Danilovic for US Open Amid Injury Concerns

Novak Djokovic will become the oldest man to win a Grand Slam singles title if he wins the US Open.

Novak Djokovic Practices with Mixed Doubles Partner Olga Danilovic for US Open Amid Injury Concerns

Olga Danilovic, Novak Djokovic (Image via X/Tennis Channel, Novak Djokovic)

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Novak Djokovic is ready for the US Open mixed doubles. He will be playing alongside compatriot Olga Danilovic, and they will kick start their campaign on Tuesday (August 19) against the Russian pair of Mirra Andreeva and Daniil Medvedev.

Djokovic will be competing in a tournament since Wimbledon, where his campaign was ended by eventual winner Jannik Sinner in straight sets in the semifinals. He skipped both the Canadian Open and the Cincinnati Masters. Ahead of his first-round match in mixed doubles, he was seen practicing with Danilovic in one of the practice courts of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

In one of his practice sessions, Djokovic could be seen receiving treatment on his knee, and this sparked injury concerns. If Djokovic and Danilovic reach the quarterfinals, they will schedule the match against either the pair of first seeds Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper or the pair of fellow wild card entrants Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu. Djokovic has played doubles in Grand Slam events five times but has never participated in mixed doubles.

For Danilovic also, the upcoming match will be her first in Grand Slam mixed doubles. Twice she has played in women’s doubles, both in this year’s Australian Open and the French Open.

Before arriving in New York, Danilovic played the Cincinnati Masters, where her campaign was ended by 2021 US Open champion Raducanu in the second round. In singles, the World No.41 has not yet won a title this season.

At the US Open singles events, the 24-year-old produced her best when she reached the second round in 2021. Her best Grand Slam performance is her run to the fourth round at the 2024 French Open and the 2025 Australian Open.

Dusan Lajovic says Novak Djokovic is invincible without physical problems

Novak Djokovic will be playing the US Open without match practice. Because he’s Djokovic, many are not concerned about him entering Grand Slam events without featuring in warm-up events. His Davis Cup teammate, Dusan Lajovic, told Sport Klub that he, too, is of the same opinion. He even thinks Djokovic will be the favorite to win, just like World No.1 Jannik Sinner and World No.2 Carlos Alcaraz.

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (via Punto de Break)

The biggest obstacle for Novak this year at the Slams is his physical preparation; we all saw that. If he manages to match them physically, to play consecutive matches with the top 10 players – now his draw is like that… If he succeeds, Novak is the favourite just like Sinner and Alcaraz.

Djokovic last lifted a Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open by beating Daniil Medvedev. Since then, the 24-time Grand Slam champion has made a Major final just once – at the 2024 Wimbledon, where Alcaraz beat him in straight sets.

Sinner showed at Wimbledon that he knows how to deal with a heavy defeat at Roland Garros, thus gaining another level of self-confidence. Alcaraz and Sinner are physically a little bit in front, but when Novak plays at his best – he’s invincible. I’d like him to be ready for the whole match, so let’s see where the 38-year-old man is against the much younger ones.

Dusan Lajovic added

This season, Djokovic progressed to the semifinals in the first three Grand Slam events. At the Australian Open, an injury forced him to hand the walkover to Alexander Zverev, while at the French Open and Wimbledon, Sinner beat him in straight sets.

This year, the 38-year-old has reached two finals, winning the Geneva Open by beating Hubert Hurkacz in three sets. It was also his 100th singles title. If Djokovic wins his historic 25th Major at the US Open, he will become the oldest Grand Slam singles champion.

Also read: Darren Cahill Reveals Biggest Reason to be Proud of Jannik Sinner’s Coach