‘As best as I can be’: Djokovic ready for 20th US Open & record 25th Grand Slam

Novak Djokovic is confident he is fully prepared for his 20th US Open campaign, where he aims to break the record for the most Grand Slam titles with a 25th win. The Serbian superstar expressed his readiness ahead of his first-round match against Argentina's Mariano Navone, stating that he feels he is as best as he can be. However, he noted that the training methods differ when transitioning from practice to the high-pressure environment of the Arthur Ashe Stadium, playing best-of-five sets.

Since his Wimbledon semifinal exit, Djokovic has only played one match, losing in the first round of the Cincinnati Open due to struggles with humidity. Despite the setback, the Serbian believes it allowed him to reset and prepare adequately for the upcoming tournament, spending nearly two weeks focused on training and mental readiness.

The absence of top-ranked players such as Jannik Sinner, who is sidelined with a knee injury, and Carlos Alcaraz, who returned from a four-month injury layoff, gives Djokovic a potentially less crowded path to a 25th Grand Slam title. Currently seeded fourth, Djokovic acknowledges that no opponent should be underestimated as he looks to become the oldest player to win a Grand Slam, a record currently held by Australian Ken Rosewall, who won the 1972 Australian Open at the age of 37.

Djokovic emphasized that every opening match, especially in recent years, can be challenging, but he remains focused on overcoming the first hurdle and building momentum from there. At 36, longevity has always been a goal for the champion, and reaching 25 Grand Slam titles will solidify him alongside Jimmy Connors, Andre Agassi, and Feliciano Lopez as one of the few men to have achieved this feat.