Novak Djokovic Rings Alarm Bells on his Physical Condition After US Open First Round Win

Novak Djokovic is eyeing a record-equaling fifth US Open title.

Novak Djokovic Rings Alarm Bells on his Physical Condition After US Open First Round Win

Novak Djokovic (image via ATP)

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Novak Djokovic is on a race against time to clinch his 25th Grand Slam title. Since winning his 100th career title at the Geneva Open, the Serbian has only shown up for the Grand Slams. He surprised everyone at Roland Garros and Wimbledon with his dominating performance, showing how age is just a number, falling only to World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the semifinals of both tournaments.

However, at the US Open, the 38-year-old opened up early on about his physical struggles. He had a hamstring injury at the Australian Open, and had earlier also admitted about how he was unable to physically keep up with top-ranked younger players like Sinner in best-of-five matches. Speaking about his opening round straight sets win over Learner Tien, an opponent half his age, Djokovic commented the following at the US Open press conference:

I started great. In just over 20 minutes, the first set, I felt very good. Then, we had some long games at the beginning of the second set, and then I started feeling really bad… I don’t know why. I was very surprised at how bad I felt physically in the second set

The Serb fired three aces in the opening set and made just four unforced errors, moving past Tien in just 24 minutes to take the first set. From there, things got a lot more difficult. Djokovic further added:

We had long exchanges, but I also dropped my level a bit and made many unforced errors, which allowed him to get back into the game. I’m glad I rebounded after the second set, and the third set went well to finish the match. There are positive aspects, but also things I hope don’t happen, like, for example, how I felt physically in the second set. I hope that doesn’t happen again, because then my life on the court will be much more difficult.

The second set was quite the struggle as Djokovic made 20 unforced errors. Tien increasingly controlled the baseline with his forehand as Djokovic was visibly exhausted at points. The four-time US Open champion, however, served well at crucial points, saving a set point at 4-5 with an ace. He took a medical timeout to address a foot issue after the second set tiebreak.

Regaining his momentum in the third set, Djokovic went on to seal the win 6-1, 7-6(3), 6-2. In his next round Djokovic faces another American, qualifier Zachary Svajda who he will be facing for the first time on court. Further ahead, Djokovic could potentially face Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals and Sinner in the final.

Novak Djokovic wears a custom Lacoste jacket to the US Open

Novak Djokovic has been sponsored by the French sports fashion company Lacoste since 2017. Throughout the years they’ve sported some unique and beautiful kits and this year was also special. As Djokovic entered the Arthur Ashe Stadium, he was seen wearing a custom white jacket designed by Lacoste Creative Director Pelagia Kolotouros.

Novak Djokovic white Grand Slam jacket US Open 2025 Lacoste
Novak Djokovic (image via Lacoste)

The jacket features tennis balls attached to a world map on the rear side, representing the different Grand Slam tournaments the Serbian has won. Djokovic hasn’t added to his Grand Slam tally since the 2023 US Open.

Before the tournament started, Lacoste had also honored Djokovic with a tweak in their logo, changing it from a crocodile to a goat, representing his status as one of the greatest athletes of not just tennis but of all sports. The company’s iconic crocodile logo is otherwise a reference to its founder Rene Lacoste, a seven-time Grand Slam champion in the amateur era, who was nicknamed ‘the Crocodile’.