Novak Djokovic’s US Open charge is far from smooth sailing, but he’s still moving forward. Let’s break down what’s happened, how he’s managing it, and what lies ahead.
Early Round Battles: Rust, Blister, and Brilliance
Djokovic kicked off with a straight-sets win over qualifier Learner Tien—6-1, 7-6(3), 6-2—despite battling a blister on his toe and getting treatment during the match. ([turn0news20], [turn0news29])
Round two was tougher. He fell behind 0-1 to American qualifier Zachary Svajda—who had surged through qualifying rounds—but turned it around to win 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-3, 6-1. Svajda, a rising talent, tested Novak early but faded as Djokovic found his rhythm. ([turn0news17], [turn0search7])
Fourth Round: Age Meets Experience
Friday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium was another high-stakes test. Facing Briton Cameron Norrie, Djokovic claimed a 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-3 win—despite a brief medical timeout for his back early on. At 38, he’s now the oldest man to reach the US Open fourth round since Jimmy Connors in 1991, and he matched Federer’s record for most Grand Slam Round of 16 appearances (69). ([turn0news15], [turn0search3], [turn0search8], [turn0search31])
The Fitness Factor: A Constant Undercurrent
Djokovic hasn’t hidden the physical strain. He’s displayed wobbliness in movement, needed treatment for both a blister and a back issue, and admitted that his body “goes up and down” during matches. Yet he’s shown resilience—especially on serve, delivering one of the best performances of the tournament during the Norrie match. ([turn0search4], [turn0search13], [turn0news15], [turn0search8])
What’s Next: The Road Ahead
Next up is Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff—a rematch Djokovic has dominated in their seven previous encounters. Beyond that, potential quarter-final matchups feature Taylor Fritz, followed by a likely semi-final with Alcaraz and a final showdown against Sinner. Djokovic knows these are the obstacles ahead, but one thing hasn’t changed: he thrives on challenges. ([turn0search5], [turn0search31])
Final Thoughts
This US Open isn’t about whether Djokovic can win—it’s whether his body can hold up long enough to do it. Every match has been harder physically than the last, but he’s still standing, still winning, still stacking success. With fitness and experience on his side, he’s still very much in the picture for title number 25.
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