Novak Djokovic warned two US Open factors could cost him at Flushing Meadows
Tennis coach Rick Macci has warned Novak Djokovic that the stars must align perfectly for the Serbian to win the US Open. The 38-year-old has been chasing a record-breaking 25th major singles crown – which would surpass any male or female player in the modern era – since his last Flushing Meadows victory in 2023.
Djokovic came closest to securing the coveted record when he fell to Carlos Alcaraz in last year's Wimbledon final. This year, the tennis icon has reached the semi-finals of all three Grand Slams so far and will be desperate to clear the final obstacles at the US Open.
He is a four-time US Open champion and has reached a record 10 singles finals at the New York major. Yet, Macci, who previously coached Serena and Venus Williams, has spelled out precisely what needs to fall into place for Djokovic to triumph ahead of tennis' new superstars Jannik Sinner and Alcaraz. Djokovic ultimately needs to avoid them in the draw for one thing, and he also can't afford to have long matches on route to the final.
"Well, first off, you never count out the Serbian sniper, the rubber band man. In my opinion, the greatest player ever to hold a stick," Macci told Tennis365. "You never count him out.
"But I think the only way he could win a Slam... it's not gonna happen on clay, it's just too physical, three out of five, I just think it's too much on the body.
"And if the draw would break correctly, I know that happens with anybody, but let's face it, if the draw broke correctly, if Alcaraz or Sinner got hurt, or you got a couple of walkovers... if things broke for him, absolutely."
Focusing on Djokovic's chances at Flushing Meadows, Macci stated how the Serbian must avoid lengthy matches and get lucky by avoiding both Alcaraz and Sinner. "He can win the US Open, because he still checks enough boxes – and he has to make sure that he's not playing four or five hours the other matches because you got a day or whatever to get back and do it again," Macci explained.
"It's the physical and mental toll that's gonna be tough on his body. But if the draw breaks the right way, or if Alcaraz or Sinner – something happens to them along the way – it changes the whole roadmap, the way you're looking at this thing.
"But absolutely. He definitely could win the US Open, but those things have to happen. But if he has a lot of tough matches and then he has to go through both those guys, I think that's kind of rough sledding."
Djokovic will be keen to bounce back from his shock third-round exit to Alexei Popyrin at last year's US Open. However, Macci is correct to point out the threats posed by Alcaraz and Sinner.
Since Djokovic's last Grand Slam victory, these two players have dominated, splitting the last seven majors between them, with world No. 1 Sinner taking four and Alcaraz securing three championship wins. As the seventh seed at the US Open, Djokovic could potentially face either player as early as the quarter-finals.
Sinner boasts a 6-4 head-to-head record over Djokovic, having won their last five encounters, including a straight-sets victory at Wimbledon last month. On the other hand, Djokovic has triumphed in five of eight matches against Alcaraz, but was defeated by the Spaniard in back-to-back Wimbledon finals.
Djokovic chose not to participate in any tournaments leading up to the US Open. He was grappling with an injury during his journey to the Wimbledon semi-finals, but he anticipates being in peak condition for the next major.
"I don't believe this will keep me off the court for too long. Unfortunately, I've had similar injuries recently and I managed to come back relatively quickly," Djokovic informed Serbian reporters after his departure from Wimbledon last month. "I think I can get myself to an optimal level for the US Open, to be able to play at the highest level."
The 38-year-old has already played in the mixed doubles event at the US Open. Djokovic and fellow Serbian Olga Danilovic were defeated by Mirra Andreeva and Daniil Medvedev in the first round.
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