LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 14: Novak Djokovic of Serbia shakes hands with Roger Federer of Switzerland at the net following victory in his Men’s Singles final during Day thirteen of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 14, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
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Roger Federer is back at the U.S. Open for an exhibition Tuesday night in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Ahead of his return to the court, the 20-time major champion held a press conference on Monday and was asked about Novak Djokovic’s continued bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title.
Djokovic, the No. 4 seed at the Open, is the third favorite to win the title behind No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and No. 2 Alexander Zverev, per Kalshi.
“Whenever Novak enters any tournament or Major, he’ll have a shot,” Federer said.
“I have very high regard for Novak, I’ve seen what he can do, not just once, not just here, but every place – at the highest level.
“As long as he’s in the draw, there’s a chance and I think that’s one of the reasons he’s still playing because he must believe he can do it, that’s my opinion.”
Much will depend on the draw, which comes out Thursday at noon.
With world No. 1 Jannik Sinner (knee) having pulled out, and defending champion Alcaraz (wrist) having not played since April, the men’s draw appears as wide open as ever.
“Maybe this is [Djokovic’s] last best last chance,” ESPN’s Mary Joe Fernandez said Monday on a conference call. “If he can be 100% physically, this would be the one, not knowing exactly how Carlos is going to get out there and play.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 10: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates after defeating Daniil Medvedev of Russia during their Men’s Singles Final match on Day Fourteen of the 2023 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 10, 2023 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
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Djokovic hasn’t won a major since the 2023 U.S. Open, but he also made the semifinals of all four majors in 2025 and also reached the Australian Open final this year before losing to Alcaraz.
“It’s definitely possible [that Djokovic could win No. 25 in New York],” ESPN’s Patrick McEnroe said. “I wouldn’t bet on it myself personally. He’s certainly capable. He’s played well in the majors this year. Beat Sinner in Australia [in the semis].
“I think a lot of things have to break right for him. Weather-wise, avoiding a long match. I think the Felix match took a lot out of him even though he had two days off before he played Sinner [at Wimbledon].
“Certainly, the way he’s played in the majors, he’s playing well enough to be a factor. For me, there’s too many things that have to go right, that have to break right for him to win it.”