{"id":18214,"date":"2026-08-30T12:27:33","date_gmt":"2026-08-30T12:27:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/?p=18214"},"modified":"2026-08-30T12:27:33","modified_gmt":"2026-08-30T12:27:33","slug":"8-semi-finals-11-slams-no-25th-yet-can-novak-djokovic-finally-end-his-grand-slam-drought-at-us-open-2026-tennis-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/?p=18214","title":{"rendered":"8 Semi-Finals, 11 Slams, No 25th Yet: Can Novak Djokovic finally end his Grand Slam drought at US Open 2026? | Tennis News"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"e9jwa\">\n<div class=\"vdo_embedd\">\n<div class=\"GfdvZ\">\n<section class=\"_bIDB  clearfix id-r-component leadmedia undefined undefined  E9tg9 \" style=\"top:0px\">\n<div class=\"_bIDB\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">\n<div class=\"ypVvZ\">\n<div class=\"WGttI\"><img src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-133627453,imgsize-92867,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/novak-djokovic.jpg\" alt=\"8 Semi-Finals, 11 Slams, No 25th Yet: Can Novak Djokovic finally end his Grand Slam drought at US Open 2026?\" title=\"Novak Djokovic during a practice session at the US Open in New York. (AP Photo)\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Ta7d_ img_cptn\"><span title=\"Novak Djokovic during a practice session at the US Open in New York. (AP Photo)\">Novak Djokovic during a practice session at the US Open in New York. (AP Photo)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Three years after winning his historic 24th Grand Slam title, <a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/topic\/novak-djokovic\" styleobj=\"[object Object]\" class=\"\" commonstate=\"[object Object]\" frmappuse=\"1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Novak Djokovic<\/a> returns to New York still chasing the elusive 25th. At 39, the Serbian legend remains capable of competing with the best \u2014 but with time running out, can the stars finally align at Flushing Meadows?<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"3\"\/>The last time Djokovic stood on Arthur Ashe Stadium for a Grand Slam final, he was making history.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"6\"\/>On September 10, 2023, Djokovic defeated Daniil Medvedev to win the US Open and claim his 24th Grand Slam singles title, drawing level with Margaret Court&#8217;s all-time record.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"8\"\/>Almost three years later, that number remains unchanged.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"10\"\/>The 2026 US Open, therefore, is about more than another major. It is another attempt to break a record that has stubbornly remained just out of reach.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"12\"\/>Yet calling the period since his 2023 triumph a slump would be misleading.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"16\"\/>Djokovic has continued to reach the latter stages of Grand Slams with remarkable consistency. He has reached the semi-finals or better in eight of the last 11 majors, including two finals.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"18\"\/>What he has been unable to do is win one.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"20\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2>Djokovic keeps getting close \u2014 but No. 25 remains elusive<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"22\"\/>The Serbian&#8217;s Grand Slam record since his 2023 US Open triumph tells the story.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"24\"\/><\/p>\n<div data-pos=\"0\" class=\"id-r-component iIpbx undefined  &#10;        \">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Djokovic's last 11 Grand Slams\" msid=\"133627380\" imgsize=\"250066\" resizemode=\"4\" width=\"\" title=\"\" placeholdersrc=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/83033472.cms\" offsetvertical=\"0\" placeholdermsid=\"47529300\" type=\"thumb\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/imgsize-250066,msid-133627380\/djokovics-last-11-grand-slams.jpg\" data-api-prerender=\"true\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"26\"\/>The numbers underline an intriguing contradiction.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"28\"\/>Djokovic has been a semi-finalist or better in eight of 11 Slams but has failed to add a single title to his collection. His two final appearances came at Wimbledon in 2024 and the Australian Open in 2026, while his latest deep run ended in the Wimbledon 2026 semi-finals against Jannik Sinner.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"32\"\/>This is not a case of a 39-year-old suddenly becoming incapable of competing with the best.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"34\"\/>Rather, Djokovic has remained good enough to get within touching distance of another major \u2014 but not quite good enough to take the final step. And that distinction could be crucial in New York.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"37\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2>The longest wait for a Slam since his first title?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"39\"\/>If Djokovic fails again at the 2026 US Open, his wait for a Grand Slam title will stretch to 12 consecutive majors.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"41\"\/>That would be extraordinary for a player who has dominated men&#8217;s tennis for so long.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"43\"\/>After winning his first major at the 2008 Australian Open, Djokovic endured an 11-Slam wait before claiming his second at the 2011 Australian Open. He was 23 when he finally ended that drought.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"45\"\/>A later slump saw him go eight Slams without a title before he ended that wait by winning Wimbledon in 2018.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"48\"\/>From his 13th major, however, Djokovic needed only six years to reach 24.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"50\"\/><\/p>\n<div data-pos=\"0\" class=\"id-r-component iIpbx undefined  &#10;        \">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Djokovic's Grand Slam journey\" msid=\"133627409\" imgsize=\"2222580\" resizemode=\"4\" width=\"\" title=\"\" placeholdersrc=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/83033472.cms\" offsetvertical=\"0\" placeholdermsid=\"47529300\" type=\"thumb\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/imgsize-2222580,msid-133627409\/djokovics-grand-slam-journey.jpg\" data-api-prerender=\"true\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"52\"\/>That makes his current drought historically significant.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"54\"\/>For the first time since the early years of his career, Djokovic is facing the possibility of going three full years without winning a Grand Slam.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"56\"\/>The difference now, of course, is age. He was 23 when he ended his first major drought. He is 39 now.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"58\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2>Alcaraz and Sinner have changed everything<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"60\"\/>Age is only part of the explanation for Djokovic&#8217;s inability to turn deep runs into another title.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"63\"\/>The bigger factor has been the emergence of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"65\"\/>Since Djokovic won his 24th major in New York in 2023, Alcaraz and Sinner have won 10 of the last 11 Grand Slam titles, with Alexander Zverev taking the 2026 French Open.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"67\"\/><\/p>\n<div data-pos=\"0\" class=\"id-r-component iIpbx undefined  &#10;        \">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The New Era\" msid=\"133627419\" imgsize=\"230716\" resizemode=\"4\" width=\"\" title=\"\" placeholdersrc=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/83033472.cms\" offsetvertical=\"0\" placeholdermsid=\"47529300\" type=\"thumb\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/imgsize-230716,msid-133627419\/the-new-era.jpg\" data-api-prerender=\"true\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"69\"\/>That is perhaps the most telling statistic in Djokovic&#8217;s pursuit.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"71\"\/>He has not been pushed out of the elite. He has simply encountered a new generation that has become exceptionally difficult to beat when the stakes are highest.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"74\"\/>Alcaraz has beaten Djokovic three times in Grand Slam finals, while Sinner has emerged as another major obstacle.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"76\"\/>Yet Djokovic&#8217;s head-to-head records show why he cannot simply be written off. He is 5-5 against Alcaraz and trails Sinner only 5-6.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"78\"\/>That is remarkable for a player approaching 40.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"80\"\/>The difference is that the younger pair have been more effective at converting their opportunities into Grand Slam trophies.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"83\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2>The 2026 US Open could finally give Djokovic an opening<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"85\"\/>This is what makes the 2026 US Open particularly intriguing.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"87\"\/>The draw has presented Djokovic with circumstances that have been missing from several of his recent Grand Slam attempts.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"89\"\/>Most importantly, Sinner is absent after withdrawing with a knee injury.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"91\"\/>Alcaraz, meanwhile, is returning after a lengthy layoff caused by a wrist injury, leaving questions over whether he can immediately reproduce his best Grand Slam tennis.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"94\"\/>Djokovic has also avoided 2026 French Open champion Zverev until a potential final.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"96\"\/>His projected route is difficult but manageable, with a potential quarter-final against Medvedev and Alcaraz among the biggest threats in the latter stages.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"98\"\/>Compared with recent Slams, Djokovic has one major advantage: one of his two biggest young rivals is absent and the other is returning from injury.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"100\"\/>The stars, at least on paper, appear to be aligning.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"103\"\/><\/p>\n<div data-pos=\"0\" class=\"id-r-component iIpbx undefined  &#10;        \">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"US Open Tennis\" msid=\"133627463\" imgsize=\"80086\" resizemode=\"4\" width=\"\" title=\"Novak Djokovic (AP Photo)\" placeholdersrc=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/83033472.cms\" offsetvertical=\"0\" placeholdermsid=\"47529300\" type=\"thumb\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/imgsize-80086,msid-133627463\/us-open-tennis.jpg\" data-api-prerender=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Novak Djokovic (AP Photo)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"105\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2>But Djokovic&#8217;s biggest opponent may be time<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"107\"\/>There is one factor no draw can remove: age.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"109\"\/>Djokovic&#8217;s physical resilience has been one of the defining features of his career. Even at 39, he continues to produce performances that would be extraordinary for almost any other player.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"111\"\/>His Olympic gold medal in Paris in 2024 was proof that he could still summon his best tennis for a massive occasion.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"113\"\/>But his overall record since 2023 also reflects the realities of getting older.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"116\"\/>He won only one title in 2024 and two in 2025, while he remains without a title in 2026 before the US Open. His last ATP Finals appearance also came in 2023, and injuries have increasingly affected his schedule.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"118\"\/>Preparation has therefore become another question mark.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"120\"\/>Djokovic does not need to dominate the season anymore. He needs to produce two perfect weeks. At 39, that is considerably harder.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"122\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2>Can Djokovic finally win No. 25?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"124\"\/>The answer is yes \u2014 but perhaps never has a Djokovic Grand Slam campaign carried so many qualifications.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"127\"\/>He is still good enough. The numbers prove it.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"129\"\/>Eight semi-finals or better in his last 11 Slams demonstrate that he remains capable of navigating the toughest tournaments in tennis. Two of those runs ended in finals.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"131\"\/>But he is no longer the overwhelming favourite he once was.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"133\"\/>Alcaraz and Sinner have won 10 of the last 11 majors. Djokovic has repeatedly been stopped at the final hurdle or just before it. And at 39, every Grand Slam represents a diminishing opportunity to add to a record that already borders on untouchable.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"136\"\/>The 2026 US Open, however, may be different. Sinner is absent. Alcaraz is returning from injury. Zverev is in the other half.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"138\"\/>Djokovic has four US Open titles and 10 finals in New York, giving him a level of experience few in the field can match. Most importantly, he still believes.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"141\"\/>Three years after his last Grand Slam triumph, Djokovic is back at the scene of his greatest recent triumph with the same target: 25.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"143\"\/>The question is no longer whether he can reach the latter stages. <!-- -->He has answered that repeatedly.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"147\"\/>The question is whether he can win the two matches that have eluded him for almost three years \u2014 and finally turn 24 into 25.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"149\"\/>At 39, it could be his last great chance. And that could make the 2026 US Open the most compelling chapter yet in Djokovic&#8217;s extraordinary pursuit of history.<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/sports\/tennis\/top-stories\/8-semi-finals-11-slams-no-25th-yet-can-novak-djokovic-finally-end-his-grand-slam-drought-at-us-open-2026\/articleshow\/133627358.cms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Novak Djokovic during a practice session at the US Open in New York. (AP Photo) Three years after winning his historic 24th Grand Slam title, Novak Djokovic returns to New York still chasing the elusive 25th. At 39, the Serbian legend remains capable of competing with the best \u2014 but with time running out, can [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18215,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18214","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-31"],"magazineBlocksPostFeaturedMedia":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/novak-djokovic.jpg","medium":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/novak-djokovic.jpg","medium_large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/novak-djokovic.jpg","large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/novak-djokovic.jpg","1536x1536":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/novak-djokovic.jpg","2048x2048":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/novak-djokovic.jpg","blogsy-small":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/novak-djokovic.jpg","blogsy-small-tall":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/novak-djokovic.jpg","blogsy-small-square":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/novak-djokovic.jpg","blogsy-small-masonry":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/novak-djokovic.jpg","blogsy-medium":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/novak-djokovic.jpg","blogsy-medium-masonry":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/novak-djokovic.jpg","blogsy-large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/novak-djokovic.jpg","blogsy-wide":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/novak-djokovic.jpg"},"magazineBlocksPostAuthor":{"name":"admin","avatar":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8709732a479614e7a8aa24d3eb1b239f30dc6d90c61464ed495001e7a469d856?s=96&d=mm&r=g"},"magazineBlocksPostCommentsNumber":"0","magazineBlocksPostExcerpt":"Novak Djokovic during a practice session at the US Open in New York. (AP Photo) Three years after winning his historic 24th Grand Slam title, Novak Djokovic returns to New York still chasing the elusive 25th. At 39, the Serbian legend remains capable of competing with the best \u2014 but with time running out, can [&hellip;]","magazineBlocksPostCategories":["\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36 \u0b2c\u0b3f\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36"],"magazineBlocksPostViewCount":1,"magazineBlocksPostReadTime":6,"magazine_blocks_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/novak-djokovic.jpg",400,225,false],"medium":["https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/novak-djokovic.jpg",300,169,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/novak-djokovic.jpg",150,84,false]},"magazine_blocks_author":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/author\/admin"},"magazine_blocks_comment":0,"magazine_blocks_author_image":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8709732a479614e7a8aa24d3eb1b239f30dc6d90c61464ed495001e7a469d856?s=96&d=mm&r=g","magazine_blocks_category":"<a href=\"#\" class=\"category-link category-link-31\">\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36 \u0b2c\u0b3f\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36<\/a>","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18214","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=18214"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18214\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/18215"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=18214"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=18214"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=18214"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}