Novak Djokovic might be winning matches left and right at the 2025 US Open, but the alarm bells are ringing louder than ever when it comes to his health.
The 38-year-old secured another quarter-final appearance in New York. He’s still chasing his 25th Grand Slam title – a trophy that would be his first since the 2023 US Open.
That’s two years without a major championship.
| Name | Age | Points | Stats 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Novak Djokovic | 38 | 8,360 | 18 - 6 |
Today, Djokovic is obviously older than he was when he won his last Grand Slam, and it really shows on the tennis court. The results are still there, but the frequent injury scares? They’re becoming impossible to ignore.
Djokovic missed every single tournament between Wimbledon and the US Open. Even right before the tournament started, he appeared in a video that suggested he was struggling with some kind of injury.
The Growing List of Problems
During this New York Slam, the Serbian has struggled with multiple issues. And honestly, the list seems to be growing longer each match.
His latest injury scare came during his fourth-round win over Jan-Lennard Struff.
Djokovic beat the German without too many problems – 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 – but the win could’ve been even more convincing. Early in the match, he was cruising with a 4-0 lead and up 15-0 in the next game.
That’s when he first grabbed his neck.
After that moment, Djokovic lost two straight games. He still took the first set, but immediately consulted with the physio during the break.
He eventually won the match pretty comfortably, securing his spot in the quarter-finals. That achievement meant he broke another record – because of course he did.
Djokovic became the first man ever to have nine seasons reaching quarter-finals at all four Grand Slam tournaments.
It’s just one of multiple records he’s shattered at this year’s US Open.
Making History at 38
The Serbian also became the oldest man since Jimmy Connors to reach both the fourth round and quarter-finals at the US Open.
Connors pulled off that feat back in 1991 when he was 39. He actually made it all the way to the semi-finals that year.
For Djokovic, being mentioned in the same breath as Connors is pretty amazing.
"I remember. I thought he was 40. I remember that," Djokovic said about Connors’ legendary run. "I was very, very, very young. When I was growing up watching a lot of tennis everyone was talking about that run being one of the most historic runs we had in sport at any Slam."
The respect in his voice was obvious.
"Jimmy Connors is one of the greatest tennis players of all time and a great legend in general, overall globally, but particularly in this tournament. He’s won it what, like, five times, and you know he’s fired up the New York crowd like no other player has done in his career."
"So, just being the same discussion or same conversation with Jimmy is obviously a huge honor for me."
The Big Question
But here’s what everyone’s really wondering: can Djokovic’s body hold up long enough for him to capture that elusive 25th Grand Slam?
The talent is clearly still there. The results speak for themselves.
The health concerns, though? They’re becoming harder and harder to ignore with each passing match.
