Novak Djokovic dropped a bombshell about fellow tennis icon Serena Williams after advancing to the second round of the US Open. It’s been three years since Williams ended her career at her home Grand Slam tournament, and Djokovic wants to see her back on the circuit.

Novak Djokovic thinks he came up with a way to get Serena Williams back on the tennis tour: Dare her to do it.

Novak Djokovic ended his first US Open press conference of 2025 by throwing down a playful challenge to Serena Williams — urging the 23-time major champion to come out of retirement and rejoin the tour.

Novak Djokovic’s first match at the US Open was a bit of a litmus test for the Serbian legend because he didn’t play a hardcourt warm-up tournament coming into the year’s final Grand Slam. The 24-time Grand Slam champion said he didn’t play the Cincinnati Open because he prefers to focus on the Grand Slams at this stage of his career.

Novak Djokovic improved to 19-0 in the first round of the U.S. Open, battling through some leg troubles to beat Learner Tien 6-1, 7-6 (3), 6-2 on Sunday night.

Novak Djokovic improved to 19-0 in the first round of the U.S. Open, battling through some leg troubles to beat Learner Tien 6-1, 7-6 (3), 6-2 on Sunday night.