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Revealed: Why Novak Djokovic was upset with US Open organizers this year

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Novak Djokovic

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.

Djokovic downs Norrie to advance to the Round of 16 at the US Open – TSN

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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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Why Novak Djokovic set to change retirement plan after private meetings

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Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic will reportedly flee to Greece in his retirement after a falling out with the Serbian government.

The 24-time Grand Slam winner’s father, Srdjan, revealed last year that Djokovic was initially planning on living in Belgrade when he finally calls time on an incredible tennis career.

That’s despite Djokovic owning luxury properties in New York, Monaco and Marbella. Srdjan claimed: “When Novak finishes his tennis career, he will live in his city, Belgrade, his country Serbia. I think there is no greater satisfaction, pride and success than your child spreading the glory of his people and his country all over the world.”

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Djokovic secured a three-bedroom penthouse in New Belgrade in 2018 for a modest $685,000, which overlooks the scenic Lake Pavlova. However, it now appears as though the 38-year-old may opt to relocate to Greece in his retirement after a reported fall-out with the Serbian government. It comes after John McEnroe praised Djokovic’s response to exiting the US Open.

The tennis great has received a wealth of criticism as a result of supporting student-led protests against Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic in December. The protests came about after the collapse of a railway station in Novi Sad a month prior, in which, 16 people tragically lost their lives.

Writing on social media in support of the demonstrations, Djokovic said: “As someone who deeply believes in the power of youth and their desire for a better future, I believe it’s important that their voices are heard. Serbia has enormous potential, and its educated youth is its greatest strength. What we all need is understanding and respect. With you, Novak.”

While Djokovic has not explicitly spoken out against Vucic or the administration, reports from German newspaper NZZ suggest that his actions have led to the Serbian government “setting their sights” on him, while also accusing him of “fleeing to Greece.”

It comes amid claims that Djokovic is considering moving his family to Greece through a Golden Visa programme, with the tennis ace meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis twice as of late. But Djokovic himself has downplayed any confirmation of a permanent move to the country coming to fruition.

Speaking at Wimbledon this summer, Djokovic said: “Obviously, there’s a lot of speculation, but no, at the moment. But who knows what could happen in the future. Yeah, it could happen.”

Meanwhile, Vucic has insisted that there is no ill will toward Djokovic, despite his support of last year’s protests. He told Informer: “I will never say a bad word against him. He can support my opponents, but to say anything bad about him. I never will. It would be bad, stupid. We will defeat that policy in the elections, but I will always cheer for him with all my heart.”

It comes as Djokovic crashed out of the US Open in the semi-finals on Friday at the hands of ATP No. 2, Carlos Alcaraz. While the Serbian has won four of his 24 total Grand Slams stateside, his Spanish opponent proved too hot to handle by emerging victorious in a 6-4 7-6 6-2 clinic.

Sunday’s final was an instant classic between the Spaniard and world No. 1, Jannik Sinner, with Alcaraz clinching the sixth major title of his own career after beating the Italian 6-2 3-6 6-1 6-4.

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Watch: Irked Novak Djokovic complains about US Open crowd, get

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Novak Djokovic

Irked Novak Djokovic complains about US Open crowd, gets short response

Novak Djokovic got annoyed with the US Open crowd but also with chair umpire Damien Dumusois as the Serb stopped play at one point and bluntly asked the umpire what he was going to do about the noisy crowd.

On Tuesday evening, Djokovic made a positive start after taking the opening two sets of his US Open quarterfinal match No. 4 seed Taylor Fritz. With the home player down by two sets, the crowd intensified their support – and at 40/40 in the fourth game of the third set – the seventh-seeded Serb hit a double fault, which gave the American a break point. The crowd very loudly celebrated the Serb’s double fault and it didn’t sit well with the 38-year-old at all.

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“What are you going to do? All you say is thank you, please, thank you please,” an irked Djokovic told umpire Dumusois.

Dumusois seemingly understood the record 24-time Grand Slam champion’s frustration, but pretty much told him to let it go.

“It’s not gonna help Novak,” the umpire responded.

Djokovic lost the set after the incident but still won the match

When the play resumed, Fritz hit a winner to convert his break point and go 3-1 up in the third set before ultimately sealing it. However, Djokovic bounced back in the fourth set and completed a 6-3 7-5 3-6 6-4 win. Later, the four-time US Open champion admitted it was all but an easy match.

“Incredibly close match. It was really anybody’s match. I thought I was lucky to save some crucial break points in the second set. I think for most of the second and third set, he was a better player. In these kind of matches, a few points decide the winner,” the Serb reflected.

Djokovic plays against Carlos Alcaraz in the US Open semifinal.

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VIDEO: Rory McIlroy looks to Novak Djokovic for inspiration in deali

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Rory McIlroy Novak Djokovic

Rory McIlroy looks to Novak Djokovic for inspiration in dealing with Bethpage Black’s hostile Ryder Cup crowd

There’s never been a GOAT in any sport quite as polarizing as Novak Djokovic. Over the course of his 22-year professional career, Djokovic has appeared in 37 grand slam finals, winning 24, the most in men’s tennis history. But the overwhelming popularity of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, whose peaks overlapped with Djokovic’s, meant the Serbian faced hostile crowds nearly every time he took the court. The mental and emotional toll of playing the heel wore on Djokovic at times, but his game thrived on the adversity, as he proved the doubters and haters wrong time and time again.

As an eight-time Ryder Cup veteran, Rory McIlory certainly knows the feeling. On Wednesday ahead of the Amgen Irish Open, Team Europe’s elder statesman was asked how he plans to handle the pro-American crowd at Bethpage Black later this month. Though McIlroy’s own resume speaks for itself—he was instrumental for Team Europe during the last Ryder Cup road win by either side at Medinah in 2012—he tipped his cap to the Joker, revealing that the tennis legend even spoke to the Euros before their victorious romp in Rome two years ago.

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“I watched a little bit of Novak Djokovic last night [in the U.S. Open quarterfinals] playing in his match against [American] Taylor Fritz,” McIlroy told reporters. “It was a very pro-American crowd. He’s been the best at handling that sort of — he’s had to deal with it his whole life, whether it’s playing against an American in New York or playing against Roger or Rafa.

He came and spoke to us a little bit about that stuff last time in Rome. So maybe taking a leaf out of his book and channeling that energy the right way, but again, all we can do is control our reaction and our emotions to it. I think the less we play into it, the better it is for us.”

McIlroy’s last sentence seems particularly telling. Some players, such as Tiger Woods and Brooks Koepka, thrive by playing with a chip on their shoulder, but McIlroy and co. aren’t buying into the bulletin-board approach. Instead, they want to put their head down, tune out the noise and execute. Love him or loathe him, Djokovic has been a master of that throughout his career. His desire to win has always been greater than desire to be adored, and that drive has carried him through countless gauntlets over the years. Whether that approach can lead Team Europe to glory at Bethpage Black remains to be seen, but if Djokovic’s deep run in Flushing this year is any indication, the Stars n’ Stripes better watch out.

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Novak Djokovic Issues Challenge to Serena Williams

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Novak Djokovic Serena Williams

Novak Djokovic is not only Grand Slam king—he’s a devoted tennis fan.

The 38-year-old Serbian superstar, like many tennis fans around the world, celebrated the sight of Serena Williams inducting former rival and now good friend Maria Sharapova into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday night.

Djokovic was so invigorated by the sight of Serena at the iconic Newport Hall, he took time out during his US Open press conference to night to issue a challenge to his fellow GOAT.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic challenged the 23-time major title holder Serena Williams, his former Wimbledon dance partner, to make a competitive comeback in 2026.

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“Of course, seeing Serena in any shape or form around tennis is great. You know, we miss her,” Djokovic told the media after defeating American Learner Tien 6-1, 7-6(3), 6-2. “She still hasn’t
officially retired (smiling).

“So I invite her, I challenge her. Because she’s such a great competitor, when somebody challenges her, she never refuses. So I challenge Serena, come back on the tour next year.”

The owner of 100 career titles, Djokovic is good friend with both Sharapova and Williams and said the sight of the former rivals embracing on stage and Serena’s touching tribute to Maria was “a wonderful moment” for both champions and the sport.

“It was surprising, but very nice gesture from Serena to be there for Maria,” said Djokovic, who reunited with fellow Big 4 icons Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal at a powerful Roland Garros tribute ceremony to the King of Clay earlier this season. “They had some really intense rivalries and incredible matches over the years.

“But they said it, they were honest I think during their speeches. Serena I think mentioned that Maria or people probably think about Serena as one of the last people that would be there to introduce. But at the same time, as she said in her speech, which I think she beautifully, eloquently explained, that people thought that they are miles apart in their differences, but they were actually very much the same in terms of they wanted the same thing and competed on the same tour for so many years.

“No, it was great. It was great. It was wonderful moment, and I think Maria deserves it.”

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