Novak Djokovic and New York. It's complicated. You've got the screaming fans, the humidity that feels like a wet blanket, and the sheer, relentless noise of Arthur Ashe Stadium. Honestly, if you look at the history of the Novak Djokovic US Open saga, it’s not just about the trophies. It’s about survival.
He’s won it four times. 2011, 2015, 2018, and 2023. But he’s also lost there more than any other Major.
People think he’s a machine, right? That he just shows up and the "Darth Vader" of tennis crushes everyone. But if you were watching in 2024 or 2025, you saw something different. You saw a man fighting his own shadow.
The 2024 Disaster: What Really Happened
Everyone expected the 25th Grand Slam title to happen in New York in 2024. Coming off that emotional high of winning Olympic Gold in Paris, Djokovic arrived at Flushing Meadows looking... well, spent.
He didn't have his legs. He didn't have his serve. Basically, he was running on fumes.
The third-round exit against Alexei Popyrin was a shocker. 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4. Novak was blunt about it afterward. He called it some of the worst tennis he’d ever played. He wasn't lying. His serve was broken, and his mental edge—that thing that usually makes opponents crumble—just wasn't there.
🔗 Read more: NFL Week 5 2025 Point Spreads: What Most People Get Wrong
It was the first time since 2017 he walked away from a season without a single Major title. Think about that. For a guy who usually hoards Slams like they’re going out of style, 2024 was a slap in the face.
The 2025 Semifinal Run
Fast forward to 2025. Novak is 38. Most players at 38 are doing commentary or playing "legends" matches. Not him.
He reached the semifinals. He beat Jan-Lennard Struff. He outlasted Taylor Fritz in the quarters. But then he hit the wall: Carlos Alcaraz.
Losing to Alcaraz in straight sets at the 2025 US Open was a turning point. It solidified a weird, historic stat: Novak became the first male player to lose in the semifinals of all four Grand Slams in a single year. Talk about consistency and heartbreak all at once.
Why the Novak Djokovic US Open Record is Different
If you compare his Australian Open record (10 titles) to New York, the math is weird. Why does he "only" have four trophies in NYC?
💡 You might also like: Bethany Hamilton and the Shark: What Really Happened That Morning
- The Crowd: Let's be real. New York fans love an underdog. Novak is rarely the underdog. The tension in that stadium is different than the polite applause at Wimbledon.
- The Timing: It’s at the end of the year. By the time August hits, Novak has usually played 50+ matches. At 38, those miles on the odometer start to smoke.
- Physicality: The hard courts at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center are brutal. They don't give. They eat your knees and ankles for breakfast.
Honestly, his 2023 win over Daniil Medvedev might be his most underrated performance. It was pure grit. He was exhausted in the second set—barely breathing—but he just refused to go away. That’s the Novak Djokovic US Open experience in a nutshell.
The Health Question
In late 2025, Novak admitted he was "more concerned than ever" about his body. His back has been barking. He’s skipping practice sessions between matches just to recover. He's meticulous, sure. He eats the right stuff, he does the yoga, he drinks the "magic" potions. But you can't outrun time.
Misconceptions About the New York Legacy
People say he hates New York. I don't think that's true. He feeds off the energy, even when it’s negative.
What most people get wrong is thinking he’s "done" after a bad loss. We saw this in 2024. We saw it in 2025. Every time someone writes his career obituary, he wins a 100th ATP title in Geneva or Athens and reminds everyone why he's the GOAT.
He's currently sitting at 24 Majors. That 25th one? It's the "White Whale."
📖 Related: Simona Halep and the Reality of Tennis Player Breast Reduction
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re following the Novak Djokovic US Open journey as we head toward the 2026 season, keep these things in mind:
Watch the First Week
If Novak is struggling with his serve in the first two rounds (like he did in 2024), he’s vulnerable. He can't grind out seven matches anymore without a "free" point from his serve.
Check the Humidity
He’s always struggled more in high humidity than in dry heat. If New York is a swamp during his night match, the risk of an upset spikes.
The "Darth Vader" Factor
Look for the all-black kit. When he puts that on, he’s usually in "villain mode." It sounds silly, but his mental state is often reflected in how he interacts with his box. If he’s screaming at Goran (or whoever is in the chair now), he’s actually engaged. Silence is when you should worry.
The story of Novak in New York isn't finished. Whether he gets that 25th title or just continues to baffle the kids half his age, he remains the biggest draw in the city.
Next Steps for You:
- Check the 2026 ATP calendar to see if Novak plays any hard-court lead-up events like Cincinnati or Canada. His performance there is the best predictor for NYC.
- Review his head-to-head stats against Alcaraz and Sinner on hard courts from the last 12 months; the gap is closing, and those are the matches that will define his final years.
- Monitor his injury reports specifically regarding his lower back, which was the primary culprit during his 2025 semifinal exit.