New York, USA – In a routine-looking start to his quest for a record 25th Grand Slam singles title, Novak Djokovic defeated US teenager Learner Tien 6-1, 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 on Sunday. However, the four-time champion admitted his fitness came as a major surprise and is now a “slight concern” as he attempts to navigate the demanding two-week tournament.
Physical Struggle in the Second Set
The Serbian superstar dominated the 19-year-old Tien in a scorching 20-minute first set, showcasing his vintage brilliance. But the momentum shifted dramatically in the second set, which lasted over an hour and twenty minutes, raising immediate questions about his preparation and conditioning.
“I started great… Then some long games to start the second set, I really was surprised how bad I was feeling in the second physically,” Djokovic told reporters after the match. “I kind of dropped my level and made a lot of unforced errors and kind of got him back into the match.”
While he required a lengthy medical timeout for a blister on his right foot between the second and third sets, Djokovic clarified that the issue was not the blister itself, but a more general struggle with recovery: “I don’t have any injury or anything. I just struggled a lot to stay in long exchanges and recover after points.”
The Comeback Formula: Rest and Experience
Djokovic, who skipped the ATP Masters events in Toronto and Cincinnati to focus solely on the US Open, acknowledges the risk of entering a Grand Slam “cold.” However, his ability to manage the match and pull out the crucial second-set tiebreak—saving a set point along the way—demonstrates why he remains a formidable contender.
How Djokovic Plans to Recover:
- Valuing the Rest: The new US Open schedule gives Djokovic two days off before his next match against US qualifier Zachary Svajda on Wednesday. This crucial break will be leveraged by his team to optimize his physical state and conditioning before the intensity ramps up.
- Veteran Mentality: Djokovic’s experience dictates his path. His ability to “survive on the court” in the second set, as he put it, and then “reset” himself for a strong third set (sprinting to a 5-1 lead) is the hallmark of a champion learning to conserve energy in the late stages of his career. “When you come to the late 30s it’s about learning how to preserve the energy for what matters,” he stated.
- Focus on Slams: His decision to prioritize family and Grand Slams over a full tour schedule means he has chosen maximum rest over match practice. While the rust showed briefly, the overall straight-sets win—his record 75th consecutive first-round Grand Slam victory—proves the formula works in the early stages.
For Djokovic, the key to chasing the record 25th major now lies not just in his unmatched skill and drive, but in his team’s ability to maximize the recovery periods and ensure his body is ready for the rigors of seven five-set matches.
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