Ageing Djokovic out to turn back time in push for US Open glory
Sabalenka seeks redemption at season’s final Grand Slam after a frustrating year so far
[NEW YORK] After semi-final runs at all three tennis Grand Slams this season, 38-year-old Novak Djokovic arrives at the US Open chasing history while confronting the limits of an ageing body.
The Serbian great remains in pursuit of an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title, but comes to Flushing Meadows without a single competitive singles match since his Wimbledon semi-final loss to eventual champion Jannik Sinner.
Skipping the hard-court warm-up events in Toronto and Cincinnati earlier this month, Djokovic has placed all his chips on New York in what many see as his last realistic shot at Grand Slam glory.
After his straight-sets Wimbledon loss to Sinner, he admitted that closing the gap to today’s best gets harder each season.
“It’s just age, the wear and tear of the body. As much as I’m taking care of it, the reality hits me right now,” explained Djokovic, whose only titles over the past 18 months have been an Olympic gold medal in Paris last year and an ATP 250 in Geneva in May.
He added: “These guys are fit, young and sharp. I feel like I’m going into the match with a tank half empty. It’s just not possible to win a match like that. It’s one of these things I accept and embrace in some way, deal with the reality the way it is, and try to make the most out of it.”
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Djokovic is not only chasing a 25th major, but also seeking to become the oldest Grand Slam singles champion. Two years removed from his last major triumph at the 2023 US Open, the No 7 seed knows time is running out on his era.
What makes this quest all the more compelling is the opposition, with Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz emerging as the standard-bearers of a new generation.
Between them, they have claimed every major since Djokovic’s last triumph at Flushing Meadows, with the Serb striving to keep his place among the game’s dominant forces.
Whether it proves a breakthrough or a last dance for Djokovic, the spotlight remains on him, with history waiting to be claimed – if his body allows it.
Trying to prove her doubters wrong
Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka returns to the US Open as the reigning champion and bookmakers’ favourite, but her 2025 season has been anything but smooth sailing.
The 27-year-old world No 1 arrives at Flushing Meadows with her ranking on the line and still chasing major silverware in 2025, having stumbled at the final hurdle in this year’s first two Grand Slams before falling in the Wimbledon semi-finals.
Her season began with a gut-wrenching loss to Madison Keys in the Australian Open final, followed by another runner-up finish to Coco Gauff at the French Open.
At Wimbledon, Sabalenka was denied again, this time in the semi-finals by Amanda Anisimova, meaning the Belarusian has failed to reach a final since the French Open in June.
The year has been underwhelming compared to Sabalenka’s dominant 2024 season, when she lifted both the Australian and US Open titles, reinforcing her reputation as one of the most consistent and powerful players on tour.
Sabalenka, who broke through with her maiden major in Melbourne in 2023, had appeared to put her long-standing struggles with composure and consistency firmly behind her.
Her transformation, marked by improved emotional control and a more reliable serve, turned her into a formidable force.
On court, she looked composed. Off it, she was more relaxed, sharing behind-the-scenes moments with fans and even dancing with her team in viral videos between matches.
However, in 2025, cracks have re-emerged.
After her emotional collapse following the Australian Open final, Sabalenka smashed her racket in frustration – a rare public outburst in recent years.
Following her French Open defeat, she sparked controversy by suggesting her opponent had only won due to her own 70 unforced errors, comments she later walked back with an apology.
“In all of these three tough defeats in the slams, for me it seems like I wasn’t trusting myself,” Sabalenka said after bowing out of Wimbledon. “When I remind myself you have to trust, I show my best tennis. Only the US Open is left. I have to just trust myself and go for it.”
Sabalenka’s hardcourt preparation for the US Open has been far from ideal. She withdrew from the Canadian Open, citing fatigue, and then suffered a one-sided defeat by Elena Rybakina in the Cincinnati Open quarter-finals, a disappointing result on her favoured surface.
Despite these setbacks, Sabalenka remains a leading contender in New York and her booming serve and explosive groundstrokes are a nightmare for any opponent. She has the tools to turn the page, but whether she can channel frustration into a title defence remains to be seen.
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