Novak Djokovic will open the U.S. Open without a competitive match since Wimbledon, a risk he's willing to take after banking "a lot of training in last three, four weeks" and reshaping his priorities around the four majors.

The Serbian world number seven, chasing an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title, has eased off the gruelling schedule that once defined his career, skipping this month's hard-court tune-ups in Toronto and Cincinnati.

Djokovic, who claimed his fourth U.S. Open and last major title in 2023, said he has "earned the right" to pick his schedule.

"I decided not to play because I wanted to spend more time with my family," the 38-year-old Djokovic told reporters on Friday.

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