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Novak Djokovic entered the 2025 US Open with one clear mission — to capture his record 25th Grand Slam title. The Serbian star breezed past Learner Tien, Cameron Norrie, and Taylor Fritz to reach the semifinals, giving fans hope that he could finally secure a major final appearance after falling short in the previous three tournaments of the year.
However, his campaign came to an abrupt halt when Carlos Alcaraz, the eventual champion, ousted him in straight sets. While the defeat itself was a major blow, it has since emerged that Djokovic’s frustrations with the US Open organizers added to his discontent during the tournament.
The scheduling decision that angered Djokovic
Australian Billie Jean King Cup captain Nicole Pratt shed light on why Djokovic was unhappy in New York. Speaking on The Tennis podcast, she revealed that an unusual scheduling choice caught the Serbian off guard.
“The schedule came out, he was first on at 11,” Pratt explained. “He’d never been first on in 15 years, let me tell you, he was not happy. He was not happy, and if you talk about managing energy levels, and he’s to the nth degree on everything, and so calculated, that would have thrown him for six.”
Novak Djokovic was placed in the first match slot of the second round, facing American Zachary Svajda at 11:30 a.m. The early start was uncharacteristic for a player accustomed to prime-time matches, especially on Arthur Ashe Stadium. For an athlete known for meticulous energy management, the unusual scheduling was seen as a disruptive factor.
Normal service resumed, but frustration lingered
After his early-round morning appearance, Djokovic returned to his familiar evening slots for the rest of the tournament. Still, the unexpected scheduling left its mark, particularly given how finely he prepares for Grand Slam matches.
Pratt also pointed to Novak Djokovic’s candid reflections after his semifinal defeat to Alcaraz, where the Serbian acknowledged the challenge of competing against the younger generation.
“It was very real, and almost humbling, right?” Pratt said. “Normally, he’s the guy holding the trophy at the end of the Grand Slam, and now he’s almost conceding the fact that there are just two guys better than him.”
What lies ahead for Novak Djokovic
Despite the setbacks, Djokovic’s hunger for success remains undiminished. With his eyes still firmly fixed on winning that elusive 25th Grand Slam, questions are being raised about whether he should consider adapting his schedule in 2026.
Pratt suggested a potential shift in his approach: “It’s interesting, because he’s played all of the Slams, but he hasn’t played the Master 1000s, and the 1000s are best of three sets. So I’d actually like to see a bit of a flip next year. If you think physically you can’t match up for five sets, play the best of three.”
For now, the 2025 US Open will be remembered not only for Novak Djokovic’s defeat but also for the rare moment where scheduling left one of the sport’s greatest champions visibly unsettled.
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