Djokovic eyes elusive 25th major at US Open with Zverev as main hurdle

BENGALURU, Aug 28 : The stars may be aligning for Novak Djokovic's quest to win a standalone record 25th Grand Slam at the U.S. Open, with Jannik Sinner out injured and Carlos Alcaraz returning from a lengthy layoff, though Alexander Zverev remains a formidable obstacle.

Since triumphing at Flushing Meadows in 2023, Djokovic has remained a force at the Grand Slams, but Alcaraz and Sinner have seized control of the men's game and shared 10 of the last 11 major titles.

Attempts by the Serb to go clear of Margaret Court on the all-time list of major winners have repeatedly been thwarted by Alcaraz and Sinner, who have combined to beat him five times across the last six Grand Slams.

Djokovic's best opportunity in years ended in a defeat by Alcaraz in this year's Australian Open final, but the 39-year-old is not short of belief as he eyes a fifth U.S. Open title despite limited preparation and lingering physical issues.

"There is a word in Serbian called inat," Djokovic said in his new documentary that aired before the year's final major.

"When people doubt you, when everyone is basically against you, that's when you use that inat, that force of stubbornness to prove everybody wrong. That inat is quite widespread in the mentality of Serbian people."

Circumstances have also broken more favourably for Djokovic than in recent years, with Sinner ruled out by a knee injury and Alcaraz back after more than four months out with a wrist issue that has left questions about his sharpness.

Alexander Zverev may represent Djokovic's biggest obstacle, however, after finally ending his long wait for a maiden major title at the French Open before making the Wimbledon final to underline his credentials as a top contender in New York.

ALCARAZ'S RETURN