Djokovic Battles Blisters, Tien to Advance to US Open Round Two/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Novak Djokovic advanced to the second round of the 2025 US Open after defeating American teenager Learner Tien in straight sets. Battling through physical issues and a tense second set, Djokovic extended his Grand Slam first-round winning streak to 75 matches. The Serbian legend now sets his sights on Zachary Svajda in Round 2.
Djokovic US Open 2025 Quick Looks
- Djokovic beat Learner Tien 6-1, 7-6(3), 6-2 in the first round
- Extended his perfect Grand Slam first-round streak to 75 matches
- Overcame blister pain and mid-match struggles
- Played first singles match since Wimbledon semifinals
- First player in Open Era to win 75 straight first rounds
- Will face American Zachary Svajda in the second round
- Match included a time violation and chair umpire disagreement
- Djokovic seeking a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title
Deep Look: Djokovic Battles Blisters, Beats Tien to Begin 2025 US Open Run
NEW YORK — August 24, 2025 – Novak Djokovic kicked off his quest for a historic 25th Grand Slam title with a determined and gritty performance at the 2025 US Open, outlasting American teenager Learner Tien in straight sets: 6-1, 7-6(3), 6-2. Despite being visibly hampered by a right foot blister and suffering through physical discomfort, the 38-year-old Serbian legend showed once again why he remains one of the most resilient players in the sport.
Stepping onto Arthur Ashe Stadium in an all-black ensemble, Djokovic was playing his first singles match since his semifinal appearance at Wimbledon last month. Although the match began with an effortless opening set that lasted just 20 minutes, things turned dramatically in the second as the 19-year-old Tien, unfazed by the occasion, raised his game and pushed Djokovic into a tense tiebreak.
“The first set was 20 minutes, and then the second one was an hour and 20 — quite the opposite,” Djokovic reflected post-match. “It was key for me to hold my nerve in the second set and clinch it in a tiebreak. After that, I started feeling better. I can always do better, but it’s a great way to start this year’s campaign.”
With this win, Djokovic recorded his 80th victory at Arthur Ashe Stadium and extended a jaw-dropping record — becoming the first player in the Open Era to win 75 consecutive first-round Grand Slam matches, a run that dates back to 2006. Even more impressively, 55 of those wins have come in straight sets.
The match wasn’t without its dramatic moments. Djokovic received a time violation early in the contest and engaged in a heated exchange with the chair umpire. Far from unsettling him, the incident seemed to reignite his focus. He quickly consolidated an early break and stormed through the opening set.
Tien, however, showcased maturity and promise beyond his years in the second set, holding his own in long rallies and even pushing Djokovic to the brink of dropping the set. But the teenager faltered during the tiebreak, where Djokovic’s big-match experience took over.
Early in the third set, Djokovic required medical treatment for a blister on his right foot. Once treated, he found another gear, striking heavy groundstrokes and breaking Tien’s serve to gain a 3-1 lead. From there, the four-time US Open champion closed out the set and match without further resistance.
Djokovic will now face another American, Zachary Svajda, in the second round as he continues his pursuit of Grand Slam history. At age 38, every match could be a test of endurance, but if history has proven anything, it’s that Djokovic knows how to thrive under pressure.
This performance underlined his enduring class, his ability to recover mid-match, and his unmatched consistency at the sport’s biggest stages.
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