Novak Djokovic has started his quest for a record 25th Grand Slam title at the 2025 US Open with a straight-sets win over American teenager Learner Tien. Djokovic won 6-1, 7-6(7/3), 6-2 in the first round on Sunday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. The 38-year-old Serbian needed a medical timeout in the second set to treat a blister on his right foot, but stayed composed to clinch the tiebreak and finish strong in the third set.
Djokovic said the match felt strange for him, with a very quick first set followed by a long and tough second set. He emphasised the importance of holding his nerve in the second set, which lasted an hour and 20 minutes. He admitted he was not feeling physically his best then and was surprised by how bad he felt, but said things improved by the third set.
He reflected on the challenges of competing at a high level in his late 30s, especially against a young opponent literally half his age. Djokovic said it is about preserving energy for what matters and managing physical recovery carefully. He said he still has the drive and flair to compete and appreciates the energy he receives from fans.
During the match, Djokovic showed signs of physical struggle, including a bloodied toe, hip pain and a clumsy fall while stretching. However, he managed to pull away in the third set with five consecutive games after initially losing his serve. Despite these struggles, Djokovic secured his 75th consecutive first-round win at a Grand Slam, a record in the Open Era.
The US Open this year introduced a two-day break after the first day, which may help Djokovic recover better. He will have two days of rest before facing American Qualifier Zachary Svajda in the second round on Wednesday. Djokovic’s victory marked his 80th win at the US Open and extended his record in opening rounds at Grand Slams.
Djokovic expressed gratitude for his long and successful career and hopes to continue competing at the highest level. He praised the New York crowd for their incredible support, calling it the best in the world, and hopes fans are enjoying his tennis despite some physical hiccups.
In summary, Djokovic’s first-round win at the 2025 US Open was a display of resilience and experience. Battling through physical discomfort, he showed why he remains one of the greats in tennis history as he pursues yet another Grand Slam milestone.