Djokovic dismisses retirement talk while pursuing record 25th Grand Slam title

Novak Djokovic has firmly rejected speculation about hanging up his racquet, insisting he remains capable of winning at the sport's highest level as he prepares for the 146th US Open that kicks off on Sunday.

The 37-year-old Serbian, currently ranked fifth in the world, addressed retirement rumours head-on in "Novak Djokovic: the Wolf in Winter", a documentary about his life released earlier this month. "I know a lot of people are retiring me already, for many years," Djokovic said. "Why would you want me to retire when I am still playing and competing at the highest level? I'm still top-five, top-10 in the world. Why would I talk about retirement when I am proving to myself that I can still win?"

Elusive 25th major remains in sight

Since capturing the US Open in 2023, Djokovic has reached two Grand Slam finals and six semi-finals, but a 25th major trophy, which would take him past Margaret Court to become the single most successful player in tennis history, has remained just beyond his reach. Last year, he fell in the semi-finals of all four Grand Slams, and this year reached the Australian Open final before making the last four at Wimbledon.

The fourth seed will open his campaign at Flushing Meadows against Argentina's Mariano Navone.

Pegula's quest for maiden major on home soil

Two-time runner-up Jessica Pegula launches her bid to win her maiden Grand Slam as the third seed. The 32-year-old American came closest to a title on home soil when she went down fighting to Aryna Sabalenka in the 2024 US Open final, a year after Sabalenka knocked her out in the semi-finals.

"I always feel like I'm close. I always feel I can go out, and I can beat these girls," Pegula said after last year's US Open exit. "Even though maybe I don't have the massive weapon that some of them have, or the flashiness that some of them have, I feel like I'm always right there every time I play them".

This year has seen Pegula reach the semi-finals of the Australian Open, the quarters at Wimbledon, and the finals of both the Washington Open and Cincinnati Open in the lead-up to New York. She faces Romania's Elena-Gabriela Ruse in her opening match.

Kostyuk riding momentum into final major

Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk, who reached the semi-finals at both the French Open and Wimbledon this year, looks to carry that momentum into the last Grand Slam of the year. The 24-year-old holds a career-best ranking of 11th in the world going into the tournament.

"I want to cherish this moment. I want to appreciate how far we've all come, me and my team," Kostyuk said after her Wimbledon exit following a loss to champion Linda Noskova last month. She opens her campaign at the Grandstand against Australia's Storm Hunter.

Two-time champion Venus Williams will make her 26th appearance in the main draw.