The exchange happened earlier this week on the walkway to a practice court at Flushing Meadows, in the last days before the men’s main draw begins. Djokovic accepted the toy-sized instrument, briefly pretended to bow a note or two, and tucked it into his kit bag. Video of the moment was shared on the US Open’s official social channels and quickly made the rounds.

The gift was well chosen. Djokovic has a signature victory celebration in which he raises his racket to his shoulder and mimes playing a violin, inspired by his young daughter Tara, who plays the instrument. He first used the move on the biggest stage during his run to the 2024 Wimbledon final and has revived it in flagship moments since, including on his way to Olympic gold in Paris.

Chasing a 25th major in New York

The lighter moment lands as Djokovic settles into a tournament that suddenly looks a shade friendlier at the top of the men’s draw. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner withdrew from the US Open on Friday, 21 August, citing a right knee issue that had already forced him out of Toronto and Cincinnati.

“Even though I have been working hard with my team and my medical staff, we have now had to make the difficult decision that I will not be able to compete at the US Open this year,” Sinner wrote on Instagram.

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Djokovic is still chasing the 25th Grand Slam that would move him clear of Margaret Court’s all-time record. His last major came at this same tournament in 2023, when he beat Daniil Medvedev in the final for a 24th. Every Slam since has ended without him lifting a trophy, most recently the 2026 Australian Open, where he lost the final to Carlos Alcaraz.

Main draw starts Sunday

The men’s singles main draw at Flushing Meadows begins on Sunday, 30 August, with the final scheduled for Sunday, 13 September.

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