Novak Djokovic began his US Open campaign with a win, but it wasn’t the routine stroll many expected. Playing his first match since Wimbledon, the 37-year-old Serbian battled through a foot blister and some early rust before defeating 19-year-old American wild card Learner Tien 6-1, 7-6 (3), 6-2 on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
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| Novak Djokovic overcomes blister struggles to secure a straight-sets win in his US Open 2025 first-round match at Flushing Meadows. |
Fighting Through Pain and Pressure
Djokovic raced through the opening set with ease, but the night turned more complicated in the second. A nagging blister on his right big toe forced a medical timeout, and he looked visibly uncomfortable at times, grimacing and grabbing at his knees between points. Tien, feeding off the New York crowd, pushed the world No. 7 to a tense tiebreak, where Djokovic had to draw on his vast experience to hold off the teenager.
Once that hurdle was cleared, the third set resembled the first: Djokovic tightened his game, extended rallies, and reminded fans why he remains the man to beat, blister or not.
Extending a Remarkable Record
The victory pushed Djokovic’s record in US Open first-round matches to an unblemished 19-0. More impressively, it marked his 75th consecutive win in opening rounds at Grand Slam tournaments, a streak that spans nearly two decades.
It was also his 80th career win at Arthur Ashe Stadium, underlining the venue’s central role in his legacy. For all the discomfort, the result keeps him on track in his bid for a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title.
Eyes on Round Two”
Next up, Djokovic faces American qualifier Zachary Svajda, a player nearly half his age but with a reputation for resilience. It promises another test of both fitness and focus as the Serbian continues to adjust after skipping the summer hard-court tune-ups in Canada and Cincinnati.
With Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Taylor Fritz all looming in the draw, Djokovic knows the road to a fourth US Open crown will only get tougher. For now, though, he has done what he always does in New York: survive the first night, no matter the obstacles.
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