"When Novak plays at his best – he’s invincible" - Lajovic believes Djokovic is capable of dethroning Sinner and Alcaraz at imminent US Open

Dusan Lajovic has stated that his Davis Cup teammate Novak Djokovic is 'invincible' when at his best, but worries about the 38-year-old's physicality when out on the court when comparing to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.

The two younger stars have taken the tennis world by storm, coming out on top in the last seven Grand Slams, and eight of the last 11, with Djokovic having won a trio of majors in 2023, failing to achieve the allusive Grand Slam after he was defeated by Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final. He currently sits on a record breaking 24 Grand Slams, as he eyes up the upcoming US Open to add to his collection, which has stalled in recent years.

In an interview with Sport Klub, the Serbian delved into his fellow countryman's preparation heading into the final Grand Slam of the year, addressing the lack of matches heading into the tournament. The four-time winner has not played since his Wimbledon semi-final defeat to the eventual champion Sinner.

“For 97 percent of other tennis players [lack of matches], I would say – yes, but for Novak – no," Lajovic said. "He did it earlier in his career, maybe not now, but before Australia he did not play in a tournament for a long time, which is a break of a month and a half, maybe even longer than now. Realistically, the first three rounds of the Slam are mostly a warm-up for him, if we look at the statistics and history. It comes to him as a preparatory tournament that the others have in Cincinnati and Toronto or wherever.

“That happens, of course. The players see more chances against him, they feel that he is not as dominant as before. On the other hand, Novak prioritises his body and being physically ready compared to feeling the ball in the first matches or showing his rivals that he is still where he is."

He went on to reveal that if Djokovic prepares physically correctly for the event at Flushing Meadows, then he will sit alongside Alcaraz and Sinner as one of the firm favourites for the championship.

“However, it is not easy to step on the field after not playing for a month or a month and a half," Lajovic said. "But in this case it is more important for Novak to be physically ready for the end of the tournament, not the beginning. The biggest obstacle for Novak this year at the Slams is his physical preparation, we all saw that. If he manages to match them physically, to play consecutive matches with the top 10 players – now his draw is like that… If he succeeds, Novak is the favourite just like Sinner and Alcaraz."

The former number 23 in the world went on to commend Sinner's mentality after his heartbreaking defeat at Roland Garros, and how well he picked himself up to go take revenge at Wimbledon. Despite this, he believes that when Djokovic is at his best, he is unbeatable no matter who he plays.

“Sinner showed at Wimbledon that he knows how to deal with a heavy defeat at Roland Garros, thus gaining another level of self-confidence. Alcaraz and Sinner are physically a little bit in front, but when Novak plays at his best – he’s invincible. I’d like him to be ready for the whole match, so let’s see where the 38-year-old man is against the much younger ones.”

Djokovic heads into the US Open with just one title and two finals, but has still produced some scintillating tennis, proof that, despite his age, he is still good enough to compete. Before the singles tournament, he is teaming up with fellow Serbian Olga Danilovic in the revamped mixed doubles event kicking off the tournament.