'I think time's running out for him to win' - Patrick McEnroe on Novak Djokovic's quest for a 25th Grand Slam title

With the 2025 US Open singles event set to begin in just a few days, Novak Djokovic will once again attempt to capture that elusive 25th Grand Slam title. With this goal in mind, former US Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe weighed in on the Serbian's odds of winning the last major of the season.

Djokovic has reached the semifinals of all three Grand Slam tournaments this year. However, he was forced to withdraw against Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open, and fell to World No.1 Jannik Sinner at both Roland Garros and the Wimbledon Championships.

The Serbian is now 38 years old, with many proclaiming his best days are behind him. Nonetheless, Djokovic appears determined to win at least one more Grand Slam singles title, to bring his total tally to a record-extending 25 majors.

However, the former World No.1 has not won a major title since his victory at the 2023 US Open. Standing in his way are the two new superstars of tennis, Sinner and rival Carlos Alcaraz. Both men have combined to win the last seven Grand Slam titles, with either one of them being a favorite to lift the trophy in New York in two weeks.

This could be Djokovic's last attempt at a Grand Slam, says McEnroe

In an interview with ESPN ahead of the US Open, the retired American pro chimed in on Djokovic's odds of prevailing at Flushing Meadows.

"I think Novak definitely needs some help [to win the U.S. Open],” began McEnroe. “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."

Djokovic will be the seventh seed at the U.S. Open and could potentially face Sinner or Alcaraz in the quarterfinals. The 2023 champion is slated to face rising American star Learner Tien in the first round on Sunday.