Novak Djokovic battles through pain to advance to US Open 2nd round: “Wish I was younger”

Novak Djokovic relied on his vast Grand Slam experience to overcome American teenager Learner Tien and advance to the second round of the US Open on Sunday.

Chasing a record-extending 25th major title, the 38-year-old Serbian battled through physical discomfort, including a medical timeout for a blister on his right foot, to secure a 6-1, 7-6(3), 6-2 victory under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

This marked Djokovic’s first singles match since reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals last month and his 80th win at Flushing Meadows. The victory also set a new Open Era milestone: Djokovic is now the first player to win 75 consecutive opening-round matches at Grand Slams, with 55 of those wins in straight sets.

Reflecting on the match, Djokovic called it “quite a strange match,” noting the stark contrast between a quick first set and a marathon second set that lasted over an hour. He emphasized that holding his nerves in the tiebreak was the key turning point.

Facing a 19-year-old opponent literally half his age, Djokovic acknowledged the physical challenges of competing at the highest level in the later stages of his career. “At this stage of my career, it’s really about learning how to preserve energy for what matters. The body doesn’t recover as fast as it used to, so I dedicate as much time as I can to physical recovery while balancing it with mental freshness, motivation, and sharpness on the court,” he said candidly.

In a reflective moment, Djokovic admitted, “At times I wish I was younger, but I can only be grateful for the amazing career I’ve had here in New York and worldwide. Hopefully, I can keep it going—I still want to compete, and I hope you’re enjoying my tennis.”

The night session crowd, which Djokovic described as “the best in the world,” buoyed him throughout, helping him shrug off a time violation and a brief heated exchange with the umpire. While Tien offered resistance in the second set, he ultimately faltered in the tiebreak, allowing Djokovic to take control in the third.