Ex-ATP Pro Warns Novak Djokovic ‘Time is Running Out’ for Him to Win Grand Slam Title Ahead of US Open

Novak Djokovic will be locking horns with Learner Tien in the first round of the US Open.

Ex-ATP Pro Warns Novak Djokovic ‘Time is Running Out’ for Him to Win Grand Slam Title Ahead of US Open

Novak Djokovic (Image via Univers Tennis)

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Time is running out for Novak Djokovic, claims Patrick McEnroe. Djokovic turned 38 this May, and the next year, he is expected to struggle more in the Grand Slam events.

So far this season, the Serb has played the semifinals of the first three Majors. At the Australian Open, an injury forced him to hand the walkover to eventual runner-up Alexander Zverev, while at the French Open and Wimbledon, World No.1 Jannik Sinner knocked him out in the semifinals in straight sets.

Djokovic has hinted at retirement, but no one, including him, knows when he would call time on his career, believes McEnroe. During an ESPN conference call, McEnroe suggested that Djokovic will only retire when he realizes that he can no longer win a Grand Slam title.

I think Novak definitely needs some help [to win the U.S. Open]. I think the bigger question we may be asking ourselves by the time this tournament is done is, will he come back? Will he be back? Because I have my doubts. I don’t think he knows. I don’t have any inside information. I don’t think he knows, but what I do know is that he’s not going to continue to play if he doesn’t think he can win. And I think time’s running out for him to win.

The last Major Djokovic lifted was the 2023 US Open by beating Daniil Medvedev. Since that win, the Belgrade native has played just one Major final. It was at the 2024 Wimbledon where Carlos Alcaraz defended his title with a straight-set win over Djokovic.

Djokovic was last seen in action in the US Open mixed doubles. In the revamped event, he paired up with compatriot Olga Danilovic, but their run ended with a straight-set defeat to the Russian pair of Medvedev and Mirra Andreeva.

In singles, Djokovic last played a match at Wimbledon. Just like last year, he chose to skip both the Masters 1000s (Canadian Open and the Cincinnati Open) on the North American hardcourt swing. Last year at the US Open, Djokovic suffered a surprising third-round defeat to Alexei Popyrin.

Goran Ivanisevic reminisces about working with Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic and Goran Ivanisevic parted ways in March last year. Under the Croatian coach, Djokovic lifted 12 Grand Slam titles. Now that he is no longer in Djokovic’s team, it doesn’t mean Ivanisevic doesn’t want to coach again.

Novak Djokovic and Goran Ivanisevic (via X/Djokovicfan/Clay Tennis)
Novak Djokovic and Goran Ivanisevic (via X/Djokovicfan/Clay Tennis)

But I love to work, I love doing this job, and for me, it is… If I think about how I worked with Novak, how could I work with anyone else? I would never work in tennis again, maybe I should retire, but I don’t think like that. My time with Novak, five beautiful years, I will never forget it. We remained friends, we will always be friends, and it’s over now. It’s the present, and I love being on the tennis court.

Goran Ivanisevic told First & Red

Ivanisevic joined Elena Rybakina’s team, but the partnership didn’t last for long because of the Stefano Vukov saga. Following the split, Ivanisevic started to work with Stefanos Tsitsipas, but that collaboration didn’t work either.

Novak Djokovic to face Learner Tien in the first round

Djokovic’s first-round opponent is last year’s Next-Gen ATP Finals runner-up Learner Tien. The 19-year-old has played the first round of the US Open three times (2022-2024).

Learner Tien
Learner Tien (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

But his best Grand Slam performance came this year when he reached the fourth round of the Australian Open, where Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego beat him in four sets. The American ace has not yet won a singles title. But he lifted the junior 2023 Australian Open title and was the finalist at the junior 2023 US Open.

Also read: Emma Raducanu’s Ex-Coach Finally Reveals the Reason Behind their Recent Split