Novak Djokovic's US Open win over Learner Tien throws up more questions than answers

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Djokovic's US Open win throws up more questions than answers

Former world No. 1 battles fitness, physical and form concerns in opening win over Tien

2025 Getty Images Novak Djokovic won the first of his four US Open titles in 2010. By ATP Staff

Scraped through, but with plenty of work to do.

That was the takeaway from Novak Djokovic's scratchy 6-1, 7-6(3), 6-2 win over American teen Learner Tien in the first round of the US Open Sunday night, the Serbian's first outing in more than six weeks.

Djokovic struggled with his footwork and balance, laboured physically in benign conditions and littered the stats sheet with 20 unforced errors in the second set alone.

But his ability to turn back Tien's first period of assertiveness from midway through the second set to claim a two-sets lead laid the foundation of his eventual victory.

Tien has four Top 10 wins in 2025 and will rue not being able to produce his best tennis to capitalise on Djokovic's vulnerability. Had he converted a set point on Djokovic's serve to level the match, Djokovic's path to victory in his compromised physical condition would have looked far more daunting.

Playing his first match since he fell to Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon semi-finals, Djokovic frequently looked to his box for technical advice in the early stages of the match. He also took a clumsy fall due to poor footwork stretching wide for a Tien serve early in the second set.

But Tien's 25 unforced errors across the first two sets - including five double faults - hobbled the chances of last year's Next Gen ATP Finals runner-up.

Tien stunned Daniil Medvedev in five sets in the Australian Open first round at the start of the season, but struggled with nerves in his first night session on the 23,000-seat Arthur Ashe Stadium against the 24-time Grand Slam champion.

Djokovic called ATP physio Clay Sniteman to court after the second set to re-apply tape to a bloodied big toe on his right foot.

Earlier in the match he appeared to be troubled by a hip issue and also pulled his racquet behind his head on several occasions, perhaps in an attempt to suck in more oxygen.

Djokovic will now have two days' rest before facing American qualifier Zachary Svajda on Wednesday.

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