The 24-Grand Slam chanpions kickstarts the US Open 2025 with his 80th victory in the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Novak Djokovic began his US Open 2025 campaign in emphatic fashion, defeating American wildcard Learner Tien 6-1, 7-6(3), 6-2 under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The victory not only booked his spot in the second round but also marked a historic milestone: Djokovic became the first player in history to win 80 matches at Arthur Ashe Stadium, surpassing Roger Federer’s record of 77 wins.
Only Serena Williams stands ahead of the Serbian great, with 81 career victories inside the iconic New York arena. Djokovic now sits just one match behind the 23-time Grand Slam champion, setting up the possibility of equaling her record later in the tournament.
Dominant Start, Brief Scare
Djokovic, currently ranked World No. 7, raced through the opening set in just over 20 minutes, dismantling Tien with blistering returns and pinpoint serving. The 38-year-old looked in complete control, but the second set presented unexpected resistance.
Tien, cheered on by the home crowd, pushed Djokovic to 4-5 and even threatened to take the set. However, Djokovic regrouped and showcased his trademark resilience, clinching the tiebreak 7-3. In the third set, the 24-time Grand Slam champion raised his level once more, breaking Tien twice to seal victory in just over two hours.
Djokovic Reflects on Physical Concerns
Speaking after the match, Djokovic admitted he was surprised by how he felt physically during the second set.
“I started great, just over 20 minutes for the first set, I felt really good,” Djokovic told Tennis.com. “Then in the second, I don’t know why—I really was surprised how bad I was feeling physically. I dropped my level, made too many unforced errors, and that gave him confidence. I’m glad I managed to reset and play well again in the third. Hopefully, what I felt doesn’t happen again because it makes things more complicated on court.”
Djokovic also confirmed he is not carrying any injury and expects two days of rest before his next match to help with recovery.
Next Challenge: Zachary Svajda
In the US Open 2025 second round, Djokovic will face Zachary Svajda for the first time in his career. Svajda, one of the rising stars of American tennis, will have the crowd behind him, but Djokovic’s experience and unmatched record in New York make him the overwhelming favorite.
With 80 wins now secured at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Djokovic continues to write history at the US Open, where he has already lifted the trophy four times (2011, 2015, 2018, 2023). Another deep run could see him equal Serena Williams’ record and perhaps set a new benchmark that may never be touched.