New York: Novak Djokovic is chasing his 25th Grand Slam title at the US Open 2025, but the Serbian star has looked far from his vintage best in the opening rounds. Entering the tournament without any warm-up events after Wimbledon, the 38-year-old has struggled to find rhythm and consistency on the hard courts of Flushing Meadows.
Djokovic, who usually thrives on momentum, admitted that his lack of match practice has left him frustrated. Against American qualifier Zachary Svajda, ranked 145, the world No.2 dropped the first set before grinding out a 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 victory. His first-round performance against teenager Learner Tien was also patchy, marked by high unforced error counts and signs of physical fatigue.
“I enjoy competing but I don’t enjoy not playing well,” Djokovic confessed after his second-round match. “I’m trying to solve the puzzle once I’m on the court, but the rhythm is not coming easily.”
This dip in sharpness has been visible since his Wimbledon semi-final defeat to Jannik Sinner. Djokovic has reached the last four in all three majors this season but has often appeared physically drained against younger opponents such as Alexander Zverev and Sinner. His decision to skip the American hard-court swing, intended to conserve energy for the US Open, may now be backfiring in the early rounds.
On the other side of the draw, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz has been ruthless. Fresh from his Cincinnati Masters triumph, the Spaniard demolished Mattia Bellucci 6-1, 6-0, 6-3 in a dazzling display of precision and power. While Djokovic searches for form, Alcaraz looks ready to dominate.
Still, if history has shown anything, it’s that Djokovic knows how to raise his level deep into a Slam. Despite the rust, the 24-time Grand Slam champion has the experience to adapt, recover, and find solutions when it matters most. With tougher opponents looming, fans will soon discover if Djokovic can rediscover the clinical edge that has defined his career.