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- The 2025 US Open officially got underway on Sunday with several stars beginning their campaign for the last Grand Slam of the year
- Novak Djokovic, who last won a major two years ago in the United States, secured a hard fought 6-1 7-6 (7-3) 6-2 win against American teenager Learner Tien
The 2025 US Open officially got underway on Sunday with several stars beginning their campaign for the last Grand Slam of the year.
Novak Djokovic, who we can all agree that is left with a few years before his retirement, had a rusty start at Arthur Ashe against an unranked American teenager Learner Tien. The 38-year-old needed treatment for blisters on his left toe before securing a hard fought 6-1 7-6 (7-3) 6-2 victory against Tien.
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Djokovic had not played a competitive singles match for six weeks before his opening match at the 2025 US open. The 38-year-old Serbian decided to take time off to be with his family and prepare for the final Grand Slam of the year instead of participating in warm up hard court events such as the ATP Masters in Toronto and Cincinnati.
Novak Djokovic overcame fatigue to secure a hard fought 6-1 7-6 (7-3) 6-2 win against Learner Tien at Flushing Meadows. Photo/ China Daily.
Prior to coming to the United States, Djokovic said his plan moving forward will be playing in the four majors as those tournaments are what give him joy. The Serbian will be hoping to win his fifth major on United States next month but it remains to be seen if he’ll actually do it considering how he struggled against Learner Tien. He has not won a major tournament in two years but still has his eyes set on a record 38th Grand Slam.
Djokovic, who last won a major two years ago in the United States, committed four double-faults and 34 unforced errors against Tien. While those miscues could have punished him against a better opponent, he somehow reigned supreme against the American youngster.
Djokovic needed only 24 minutes to win the first set. However, Tien really gave the Serbian a hard time in the second set with his big groundstrokes. Initially trailing by a mini-break, Djokovic fought off four break points to stay in the net. The former world number one eventually triumphed over his opponent in the second set after one hour and 20 minutes.
Djokovic was treated for a blister before taking a 3-1 lead in the third set. He never looked back from there and eventually clinched the set to win what was a tough opening fixture for him. He will face American Zachary Svajda in the next round.
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“It was a strange kind of match. The first set was 20 minutes, and then the second one was one hour and 20, quite the opposite sets we played. It was key for me to hold my nerve in the second set and clinch it in a tie-break. After that, I started feeling better. I can always do better, but it’s a great way to start this year’s campaign.” Djokovic said after his victory at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday night, according to Al Jazeera.
Ben Shelton And Taylor Fritz Going For The Win At US Open
America’s top ranked tennis players Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz began their bid for home soil major by recording stunning victories in the opening round on Sunday.
Ben Shelton won his first round match at the US Open against Ignacio Buse . Photo/ USOpen.org.
Fritz, who is ranked fourth, recorded a clean 7-5 6-2 6-3 win over fellow countryman Emilio Nava. Meanwhile, world number six Shelton beat Ignacio Buse 6-3 6-2 6-4.
The last American man to win a Grand Slam was Andy Roddick in 2003. It remains to be seen if either Shelton or Fritz will end America’s 22-year major drought for a major. Fritz came close to ending the drought in 2024 when he reached the final at Flushing Meadows.
