New York : Novak Djokovic, at the age of 38, carved his name deeper into tennis history by becoming the oldest male player ever to reach the quarterfinals at all four Grand Slam tournaments in a single season during the 2025 US Open. His commanding straight-sets victory of 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 over Jan-Lennard Struff at Arthur Ashe Stadium marked his 64th Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance, eclipsing records held by tennis legends Roger Federer and Andre Agassi. Despite battling physical niggles including neck and forearm issues, Djokovic’s resilience and stellar serving, firing 12 aces while winning nearly 80 percent of first-serve points, kept him dominant on court.
This milestone came with a poignant personal note as Djokovic missed his daughter’s birthday to compete but expressed heartfelt dedication, stating, “I’ll try to win if I’m here… I’ll send nice presents as well as nice surprises for her birthday party.” His performance was a masterclass in experience and tactical brilliance, breaking Struff’s serve six times and showcasing why he remains one of tennis’s greatest competitors.
Looking ahead, Djokovic faces a tough challenge in the quarter-finals against defending finalist Taylor Fritz, against whom Djokovic holds a perfect 10-0 head-to-head record. Summing up his mindset, Djokovic shared, “I’m not sure how many more I will have,” referring to his night session matches, “so I treasure each one,” underscoring the twilight phase of an illustrious career.
The 2025 US Open is not just another tournament for Djokovic but a testament to his enduring greatness and hunger to add a historic 25th Grand Slam title, cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats in the heart of New York City.
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