US Open LIVE: Aryna Sabalenka concerns raised as Novak Djokovic given retirement answer

Novak Djokovic has been told exactly how to answer questions surrounding his potential retirement.

The Serb, having not won a Grand Slam since the 2023 US Open, has faced growing pressure surrounding his future.

But Andy Roddick has said to Djokovic that he should simply inform those wondering that he remains the third best player in the world.

Roddick said on his Served podcast: "If any journalist ask him when he's going to retire, he should say: 'When I'm not one of the best players in the world anymore', and just save himself that question over and over again.

"He's literally the third favourite in every major he enters right now, and has made three semi-finals in majors this year. Hasn't played since Wimbledon, isn't really going to affect my pick much."

Carlos Alcaraz has described Jannik Sinner's form on hardcourts as "unbelievable" as he prepares to dethrone the Italian in New York.

Sinner has not lost a match on the surface at a Grand Slam in nearly two years and is the early favourite to win the US Open.

"I think the last three Grand Slams on hard court he won, if I'm not wrong," Alcaraz said. "It's been unbelievable the tennis he's bringing on hard courts.

"So I just look up to him in some way, just to be ready if I have to face him somewhere. It's gonna be great. Hopefully, you know, meet him in the final. He has a big target on his back."

Jack Draper has been told that he has a chance of beating both Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz to the US Open title.

The Brit has not played a singles match since losing in the Wimbledon, but Mark Petchey thinks that it would be unwise to write off Draper.

“I am not that worried about someone like Jack who hasn't played much going into the tournament," Petchey told OLBG. "The fact that he's had to look after his body is a good thing. I think he'll feel so fresh.

“You've got that unknown quantity having not played any matches. We saw that it was a bit of a struggle down in Australia. You end up getting in a few dogfights early on and then suddenly you’re pulling out a four or five setter in 35 degrees.

“A lot depends on how cleanly Jack can get through the first week. If he can, by dropping only one or two sets at best, then I love his chances.

“Anyone that thinks he can't win it now is wrong. Jannik and Carlos have somewhat separated themselves from the field, but I give Jack in those conditions more than a puncher's chance to go on and beat them.

“You never know, if you get through to that end part of the second week you may not have to beat them both.

“It's not an ideal situation that he's going in without playing in any of the recent tournaments, but, at the same time, when you're as good as Jack, you can build confidence, you can build belief.

“It's not that he's going to have a lack of belief, but you can build belief in your match tennis very quickly. Being fresh ultimately could actually be his USP.”

Emma Raducanu is confident heading into the US Open after her recent clashes with world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.

The Brit pushed Sabalenka at Wimbledon and at the Cincinnati Open, losing in three sets on both occasions, but put in encouraging performances.

"I definitely got closer the last time we played in Cincinnati," Raducanu told Sky Sports.

"I think it's really helped playing the No. 1 player in the world and pushing her, so it gives me confidence.

"But what also gives me confidence is the work I'm doing behind the scenes, and then to see that translate and reaffirm the work I'm doing is really comforting."

What a blockbuster day we have ahead at the US Open...

Arthur Ashe Stadium

5pm start (all times BST)

Ben Shelton (6) vs Ignacio Buse

Aryna Sabalenka (1) vs Rebeka Masarova

Midnight start

Novak Djokovic (7) vs Learner Tien

Jessica Pegula (4) vs Mayar Sherif

Louis Armstrong Stadium

4pm start

Emma Raducanu vs Ena Shibahara

Taylor Fritz (4) vs Emilio Nava

Midnight start

Jasmine Paolini vs Destanee Aiava

Daniil Medvedev (13) vs Benjamin Bonzi

Serena Williams admitted that she copied the grunt from her fierce rival Maria Sharapova.

Williams gave a moving speech as Sharapova was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame, lavishing praise on someone she battled so hard against.

"The fire was real, you could feel it," Williams said. "And by the way, you could hear it. With all of Maria's grunting. Not mine, yours. I was just copying you.

"I know I'm probably the last person you'd be expecting to see tonight. We had our differences. To the world, we looked miles apart, but the truth is we weren't.”

Serena Williams' former coach, Rennae Stubbs, has admitted that she is concerned if Aryna Sabalenka will even reach the quarter-finals of the US Open.

The world No. 1 is without a Grand Slam title this year and Stubbs thinks that her form has been concerning coming into the tournament.

"She has a mid-court forehand 20 feet long," Stubbs explained on her podcast. "I don't understand how you can't.

"It's like she doesn't feel the ball, but when she's hitting it, amazing, then she can play six points, and you are like, 'Where did that come from?' She would ace you like three times in a tie break.

"Its ups and downs for me with Sabalenka, that must, as a coach, my sphincter would be so tight with her coach because no ball is regular.

"So I have been watching her for the last couple of weeks and I'm concerned if she's even going to get to the quarters with the way she is playing and if she does, good luck."

Hello and welcome to Express Sport's live coverage of the US Open, where action finally gets underway today in New York.