Novak Djokovic Explains Camouflage Tactics With ‘Darth Vader’ Attire at Us Open

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Vivek Devane | Last updated Aug 29, 2025 8:22 AM ET

Novak Djokovic may not have had the smoothest start to his US Open campaign this year, dropping a set and requiring medical timeouts, but one element of his game has been flawless so far—his striking all-black Lacoste outfit under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Ahead of his third-round clash against Britain’s Cameron Norrie, Djokovic opened up about the thought process behind his attire for New York’s iconic night sessions.

“Even though I don’t like Darth Vader from Star Wars, it feels a little bit like that,” Djokovic joked in an interview with Sports Illustrated's Serve on SI. “I think it brings that kind of a vibe of the warrior spirit that I like to nourish and nurture on the court.”

For Djokovic, New York’s night sessions carry an energy unlike anywhere else on the tennis calendar. “The atmosphere is electric. It’s special. People are hyped. It’s quite a different, almost polarity different from Wimbledon, where you have all white and very stylish, very classic. In New York, it’s really out there.”

The 23-time Grand Slam champion also revealed a deeper layer behind his fashion choices, explaining that style and psychology often overlap in sports. “We try to implement always that camouflage feeling. I do believe that it has an impact,” said Djokovic.

“Maybe not a big impact, but it does have an impact when you blend with the color of the court. It looks nicer, and at the same time, it also allows you to disguise yourself a little bit with your opponent in a very quick, dynamic game of tennis,” added the former US Open champion.

Djokovic’s pursuit of sporting perfection extends beyond his shots and preparation—right down to the details of what he wears. Whether it’s the warrior-like black or the subtle camouflage effect he hopes to harness, one thing is certain- when the lights go down in New York, the Serbian legend knows how to make a statement.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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