Novak Djokovic is heading back to New York with history on his mind — but this year’s US Open could be one of the biggest physical tests of his career.
At 39 years old, Djokovic is chasing a record 25th Grand Slam singles title, which would move him ahead of Margaret Court’s record of 24 major titles.
But there’s a problem.
His body isn’t making the challenge any easier.
😳 The Heat Could Be a BIG Problem
Djokovic recently struggled with the heat and humidity during his Cincinnati loss, and he acknowledged that these conditions can trigger physical issues for him.
That’s particularly concerning at the US Open, where the late-summer conditions in New York can be brutal.
At 39, Djokovic doesn’t have the same physical margin for error he had a decade ago.
And now he’s preparing for potentially seven matches against some of the best players in the world.
🏆 But He’s Still Dangerous
Here’s the part that makes this story so interesting.
Don’t count Djokovic out.
He reached the Australian Open final earlier this year and made the Wimbledon semifinals. He’s also still sitting on 24 Grand Slam titles and has won the US Open four times.
In other words, the guy is still making deep runs.
The question isn’t whether Djokovic can still play at an elite level.
It’s whether his body can handle everything required to win another major.
🔥 And The Field Isn’t Getting Any Easier
Djokovic won’t exactly have a free path to the trophy.
Carlos Alcaraz is returning as the defending champion, while Alexander Zverev remains one of the tournament’s biggest threats.
And although Jannik Sinner has withdrawn, the field is still loaded with players capable of making Djokovic work for every point.
That could make the draw extremely important.
If Djokovic gets a difficult early opponent, he could be forced to spend valuable energy before the second week even arrives.
👀 Is This Really His Last Chance?
That’s the question everybody wants answered.
Djokovic hasn’t announced that the US Open is his final tournament.
But every Grand Slam feels more significant now.
He’s 39.
He’s already achieved virtually everything possible in tennis.
And he’s chasing one final piece of history: No. 25.
Roger Federer, meanwhile, still believes Djokovic is capable of getting there. Federer recently backed Djokovic to win the record-breaking major, saying the draw could be the key factor.
So maybe Djokovic isn’t running out of tennis.
Maybe he’s simply running out of time.
🎾 The Bottom Line
Novak Djokovic enters the US Open with history within reach.
One more Grand Slam would give him 25.
But his age, the physical demands of the tournament and a dangerous field could make this one of the toughest challenges of his career.
And that’s what makes the 2026 US Open so fascinating.
Can Djokovic find one more magical run in New York?
