Novak Djokovic has built his career on turning tense moments into triumphs, and Sunday night at Flushing Meadows was no exception. The 24-time Grand Slam champion shook off rust, pain, and a fearless teenage opponent to beat 19-year-old Learner Tien, 6–1, 7–6 (3), 6–2, in the first round of the US Open.
A Night of Contrasts
For about 30 minutes, it looked like classic Novak. The first set was a clinic — deep returns, precise placement, and a level of composure that’s buried plenty of young hopefuls before. But the match took a sharp turn in the second set. Djokovic’s movement slowed, his footwork looked labored, and a nasty blister on his toe had him grimacing between points. Suddenly, the great defender looked… human.
Tien smelled blood. The American teen, ranked well outside the top 200, ripped forehands without fear and even earned a set point at 5–4. But when the moment came, Djokovic — as he has for two decades — produced the goods. An ace down the T saved him, and the tiebreak was all business.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
- Unforced errors: 20 in the second set alone. Proof of the struggle.
- First serves in: 67%, just enough to bail him out when needed.
- 19–0: Djokovic’s career record in US Open first-round matches. That’s as consistent as it gets.
Why This Matters
At 38, every Djokovic match is measured against the ticking clock. Can his body hold up across two weeks in the New York humidity? On Sunday’s evidence, it’s far from guaranteed. But what separates him from the pack is this: even when he’s off, even when the opponent believes, Djokovic still finds the exits out of danger.
Next up is American Zachary Svajda — a winnable match on paper, but as Tien showed, nothing about Novak’s current form feels routine.
The Clutch Crunch Take
Djokovic didn’t win style points. He didn’t silence questions about his health. What he did was remind everyone why he’s still dangerous — because champions don’t need perfect nights, just the perfect moments.