Why the US Open might genuinely be Novak Djokovic’s last chance to win a 25th Grand Slam title

How many Grand Slams would ‘prime’ Andy Murray win in 2026?

Where would he be ranked?

The Serb is a 24-time Grand Slam champion, an Olympic gold medalist, a former world number one, and, in the eyes of most, the greatest player in the sport’s history.

He holds most of the all-time records in men’s tennis, but shares perhaps the most important one with Australian WTA legend Margaret Court; the only player who can say they have as many majors as Djokovic.

Since hoisting his 24th Grand Slam trophy at the 2023 US Open, Djokovic has been attempting to surpass Court to become the all-time leader, man or woman, in major crowns.

Novak Djokovic’s last chance at winning major number 25

Djokovic has come agonisingly close to completing the feat on a number of occasions, particularly the 2024 Wimbledon Championships and the 2026 Australian Open, where he made finals.

In Melbourne Park earlier this year, Djokovic dethroned defending champion Jannik Sinner in a five-set classic to reach the final, but ultimately lost to Carlos Alcaraz in four.

The result in Australia marked another example of the recurring problem in Djokovic’s quest for a 25th major: Having to beat both Sinner and Alcaraz in the same tournament.

Overcoming one of them is doable, but securing back-to-back triumphs against the two best players of the generation is too tall an order, even for Djokovic.

Which is why Alcaraz’s wrist injury offered Djokovic such a huge window of opportunity heading into Roland Garros, where he was placed on the opposite side of the draw to Sinner.

But Djokovic’s campaign in the French capital was brought to a halt by 19-year-old Joao Fonseca, who came back from two sets down to battle past the man 20 years his senior.

The same golden opportunity presented itself to Djokovic at Wimbledon following Alcaraz’s withdrawal, but after emptying the tank to win the longest quarterfinal the tournament has ever seen against Felix Auger-Aliassime, the great man was already at a disadvantage in the semifinals when faced with Sinner, who beat him in straight sets.

Where does that match rank among the best of Novak Djokovic’s career?

It was the longest Wimbledon quarterfinal in history…

Recent reports have suggested Alcaraz is targeting a return to action at the Cincinnati Open, meaning the Spaniard will likely feature at the 2026 edition of the US Open.

Alcaraz is the reigning champion at Flushing Meadows and will no doubt be incredibly driven to defend his title after months on the sidelines; however, if past examples of wrist injuries are anything to go by, it may take a while before fans see the seven-time major winner back to his very best.

That’s why this could be Djokovic’s last chance at 25.

In the event of an early exit for Alcaraz in New York, Djokovic may have just one more shot at a major tournament without having to go through both of the ‘new two’.

By the time the 2027 Grand Slam season rolls around, Alcaraz will likely be back to 100%, and Djokovic will be approaching his 40th birthday.

It’s not just Alcaraz and Sinner that will grow stronger, either, with the likes of Fonseca, Rafael Jodar and Jakub Mensik also set to cause Djokovic problems at upcoming majors.

So long as he’s on the tour, it will always be foolish to count Djokovic out at a Grand Slam, but after the 2026 US Open, his chances of adding to the major tally will look slimmer than ever.