Patrick McEnroe thinks Novak Djokovic will "need some help" to make it all the way at the US Open, and also warns that the "the time is running out" for the 38-year-old to add another Grand Slam glory to his collection before he calls it a career.
Since winning three Grand Slams in 2023 – setting a new all-time Slam record – and becoming the first man with 24 Majors, the Serb has appeared in only one Slam final – he was beaten by Carlos Alcaraz in last year's Wimbledon title match. However, the Serb has still had a couple of deep runs at the biggest stake, making four Major semifinals.
When it comes to this year, Djokovic hasn't had issues reaching the latter stages of Grand Slams since he made three semifinals. But he hasn't managed to make it to the title match. In his last two Majors played, the former world No. 1 was bounced by Jannik Sinner in the French Open and Wimbledon semis.
McEnroe: I think Djokovic needs some help to win the US Open…
“I think Novak definitely needs some help. I think the bigger question we may be asking ourselves by the time this tournament is done, is, will he come back? Will he be back? Because I have my doubts. I don’t think he knows. I don’t have any inside information. I don’t think he knows, but what I do know is that he’s not going to continue to play if he doesn’t think he can win. And I think time’s running out for him to win," McEnroe said during a conference call with ESPN, via Forbes.
By stating that Djokovic needs some help, McEnroe meant that the Serb probably needs to have his draw opened up, with the ideal scenario being avoiding facing Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
On Thursday, the US Open released its main draw and seventh-seeded Djokovic drew Learner Tien in the first round. The former world No. 1 could possibly meet Alcaraz in the semifinal and Sinner in the final, respectively.
