Djokovic Schools Teen Tien to Open US Open Campaign

Novak Djokovic showed why he’s still the ultimate Grand Slam fighter, grinding past American teenager Learner Tien in the US Open first round with a 6-1, 7-6(3), 6-2 win on Sunday night.

The 38-year-old Serb, back on court for the first time since his Wimbledon semifinal run last month, swapped his whites for a sleek all-black look at Arthur Ashe Stadium. He had to push through some physical discomfort but still managed to seal his 80th career win on the New York stage.

Victory also etched another record into the history books: Djokovic became the first player since the sport turned professional in 1968 to win 75 consecutive opening-round Grand Slam matches — 55 of those in straight sets.

“It was a strange kind of match,” Djokovic admitted. “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.”

The seventh seed opened with a quick break, then got into a fiery exchange with the chair umpire over a time violation — something that only seemed to fuel him. He blasted through the first set, but the 19-year-old Tien made him work in the second, stretching points and forcing a tie-break before folding under the pressure.

After getting treatment for a blister on his right foot, Djokovic powered up his groundstrokes, broke early in the third, and never looked back. The four-time US Open champion will next face American Zachary Svajda.

Djokovic hasn’t lifted a Grand Slam trophy since his 2023 US Open title, but his tenacity — and his unmatched ability to play through pain and pressure — keeps him firmly in the chase for a record 25th major crown.