Novak Djokovic is somewhat of an unknown quantity heading into the US Open this year.
Djokovic last competed in the semifinals of Wimbledon, where he lost to eventual champion and world number one Jannik Sinner.
Despite originally being entered to play these tournaments, Djokovic has since withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open and the Canadian Open.
There is a lot of speculation surrounding Djokovic’s future in the sport, and now former world number one Jimmy Connors has admitted his concern heading into the US Open.
Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty ImagesJimmy Connors admits Novak Djokovic’s Cincinnati Open withdrawal concerns him
Connors is a six-time US Open champion, and now has a podcast with his son, Brett, which is aptly named Advantage Connors.
In the latest episode, Jimmy Connors was discussing which man he thinks is going to win the US Open singles title next month.
Connors actually backed Djokovic to win a record 25th Grand Slam title, but admitted that his withdrawal from the Cincinnati Open concerns him.
“I am thinking of [Novak Djokovic],” answered Connors. “You can’t count him out. The only thing that is worrying me, is I wish he would go to Cincinnati and just go and play two or three matches.
“That is the only thing that worries me that he left Wimbledon in the semis, which was a pretty good result, but he didn’t play in that match like he wanted to and lost in three straight.
“Then to take two and a half months off, he has a family, going on vacation and getting away. But you never know!”
Djokovic last won a Grand Slam at the 2023 US Open, with Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz sharing all seven major titles since then.
How has Novak Djokovic performed at the US Open before when he has not played in Cincinnati?
This is the fourth time that Djokovic is expected to play the US Open after missing the tournament in Cincinnati.
However, all of the other years Djokovic has played at the Olympic Games, whereas that is not the case in 2025.
Two of the three previous times that Djokovic has missed the Cincinnati Open he has gone on to reach the US Open final, but he was unable to get anywhere near last year.
After winning Olympic gold, Djokovic would lose to Alexei Popyrin in the third round of the US Open, which is still his earliest Grand Slam defeat since 2017.
Year Novak Djokovic missed the Cincinnati OpenHow Novak Djokovic performed at the US Open2016 (Did win the Canadian Open) Final – Lost to Stan Wawrinka2021Final – Lost to Daniil Medvedev2023Third Round – Lost to Alexei Popyrin
Although he is not entered to play in any singles events prior to the New York major this year, Djokovic is competing in the US Open mixed doubles tournament that takes place the week prior.
Djokovic is partnering his compatriot Olga Danilovic in the US Open mixed doubles event, which takes place on August 19-20.
The main draw of the singles tournament at the US Open will get underway on Sunday, August 24.