Novak Djokovic is set to compete in the US Open, aiming for his 25th Grand Slam title. The Serbian tennis star expressed confidence in his preparation, stating he feels as best as he can be ahead of the tournament.

Having only played once since his semi-final appearance at Wimbledon, Djokovic faced an early exit in the Cincinnati Open, losing to Thiago Agustín Tirante. He struggled with the humidity during that match but sees the defeat as a silver lining, allowing him additional time to prepare for the US Open.

“I don’t like early losses anywhere, to be honest, but it gave me time to be prepared for the US Open in a most adequate way,” Djokovic mentioned. He emphasized that the two weeks following his Cincinnati loss were crucial for getting his body and mind ready for the challenges ahead.

Over the last two years, Djokovic has been remarkably consistent in Grand Slam tournaments, reaching the semi-finals or better in six of his last seven events. However, with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner being his main competitors, the landscape has shifted. Sinner is absent due to injury, and Alcaraz is returning from a lengthy wrist injury layoff, making the field more open than in previous years.

Despite being 39 years old, Djokovic remains a formidable player, though he acknowledges that each tournament brings new physical challenges. His experience will be vital as he navigates the competition at Flushing Meadows.

Meanwhile, in the women’s draw, Elena Rybakina is also looking to capitalize on her opportunity at the US Open after recovering from a foot injury. She is currently in contention for the No. 1 world ranking and aims to perform well despite recent setbacks.

As the tournament approaches, both Djokovic and Rybakina are focused on their health and performance, with hopes of achieving their respective goals on the grand stage.