Novak Djokovic battles past teenager Learner Tien in the US Open 2025 first round, kicking off his quest for a record 25th Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows.
Novak Djokovic served yet another masterclass in Grand Slam resilience, outlasting American teen Learner Tien 6‑1, 7‑6(3), 6‑2 in a gripping first-round showdown at the US Open. With this win, the 38‑year‑old Serb ignited his relentless pursuit of a record-extending 25th major title.
Stepping onto the hard courts of Arthur Ashe Stadium in a striking all-black ensemble, Djokovic returned to singles action for the first time since a deep Wimbledon run. Despite nursing a painful blister on his right foot and showing signs of physical discomfort, he notched his milestone 80th victory at Flushing Meadows.
Remarkably, he extended his Open Era-leading streak to 75 consecutive opening-round Grand Slam wins—55 of which came in straight sets.
“The first set flew by—just about 20 minutes. But that second set stretched into a grueling hour and 20 minutes,” Novak Djokovic reflected. “Staying cool under pressure and winning that tiebreak was absolutely key. After that, I began to feel steadier. You can always raise your game, but it’s a promising launch to my season’s final major.” His candid admission came through gasps of exertion and a momentary confrontation with the umpire over a time violation, after which he pivoted to close the opening set quickly.
Tien, the 19-year-old Californian and rising star, looked to shake the legend in the second—but despite having break opportunities and pushing rallies to the brink, he faltered in the decisive tiebreak.
Djokovic’s corner took a moment to address the blister before the third set. Rejuvenated, he unleashed heavy, penetrating groundstrokes and broke early to lead 3‑1—then coasted through to seal the match and set up a second-round clash with qualifier Zachary Svajda.
Physically, the match proved testing. Novak Djokovic admitted that long rallies and recovery between points posed challenges, saying, “I don’t have any injury per se, but staying through extended exchanges and recovering afterward was tough.” He added that having two days off before his next match offers valuable breathing room.
One thought on “Novak Djokovic Powers Through US Open First Round Despite Injury Scare”