A Rocky Build-Up to the Year's Final Slam
Novak Djokovic arrived at the US Open carrying more question marks than usual. The 39-year-old Serbian great already took a tough loss in Cincinnati, where he was beaten in the round of 64 by Thiago Agustin Tirante. More alarming than the result was what happened during that match: Djokovic vomited on court and needed medical attention. He later admitted to battling ongoing health problems, particularly in hot and humid conditions, saying the issues had been affecting him for several years.
Despite those concerns, Djokovic committed to the US Open mixed doubles event, pairing up with world number one Aryna Sabalenka. The top-seeded duo fell to Henri Patten and Katerina Siniakova on Arthur Ashe Stadium, losing by a significant margin. What followed made things look even more uncertain: a scheduled practice match against Zizou Bergs ended prematurely after just 40 minutes, with Djokovic trailing 3-0 and visibly fatigued. No physical injury was spotted, but the early exit from the session added to growing concern.
What Comes Next for Djokovic at Flushing Meadows
Djokovic is scheduled to practice against Alexander Zverev as he continues his preparations, giving him a few additional days before the singles main draw begins on August 30. As the fourth seed, he cannot face defending champion Carlos Alcaraz or top seed Zverev until the semifinal or final stage. Last year, Alcaraz eliminated Djokovic in the semis in straight sets, making a potential rematch a storyline the tennis world is already watching closely.
Whether Djokovic can shake off his fitness troubles in time remains the central question heading into the tournament. TennisDraw users tracking their bracket predictions will want to weigh his form carefully before locking in their picks.
