Lajovic backs Novak Djokovic to challenge Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz in New York

Novak Djokovic followed unconventional preparation for the US Open, missing all the action after Wimbledon. However, Dusan Lajovic believes it will not prevent the 24-time Major winner to challenge Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in New York. 

The veteran lost the Wimbledon semi-final to Sinner and decided to take a break and enjoy with his family. Novak skipped Toronto and Cincinnati, heading to the US Open without hard-court lead-up matches.

For Lajovic, it’s a strategy rather than risk in Djokovic’s case. As Dusan reminded all, Novak has done something similar many times in the past, especially at the Australian Open after missing a month and a half.

The Djoker is ready for New York🤪🃏🗽
Dance or training?!🤌🏻
Love this humour@DjokerNole 💙#NoleFam #Dance #NewYork #UsOpen pic.twitter.com/JrZyobCsvU

— novak.djokovic100 (@NDjokovic100) August 15, 2025

While his main rivals, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, are chasing the Cincinnati Masters title, Djokovic is training in Tivat in Montenegro ahead of his US trip. 

According to Lajovic, Novak manages his schedule to preserve his body, aiming to be at full strength when it matters the most, in the latter stages at Majors.

While the legend may not be as dominant as in the past, Lajovic would not count him off against Sinner and Alcaraz in New York if he manages to bypass physical issues and enter the quarter-final at 100%.

Novak Djokovic, Wimbledon 2025© Stream screenshot

“Entering a Major without lead-up matches would be a problem for 97% of players, but not for Novak. He did that in the past, especially in Australia, after not playing for a month and a half.

To tell the truth, Novak is only warming up in the first three rounds at Majors. It’s a kind of preparation for him, similar to what others have in Toronto and Cincinnati.

Novak’s rivals feel that he is not as dominant as he was a couple of years ago, and they see their chances against him. On the other hand, he prioritizes his body and physical strength instead of feeling the ball right from the start of the tournament.

It’s never easy to play after missing a month and a half, but Novak is preparing to be physically strong in the closing stages, not at the beginning. He has struggled physically at Majors this year.

If he manages to endure back-to-back matches against the top-10 rivals, he will be on level terms with Carlos and Jannik. They are physically stronger than him, but when Novak performs at his best, he is unbeatable,” Dusan Lajovic said.