It has been roughly six weeks since Novak Djokovic played a competitive singles match. Rather than take part in warmup hard-court events ahead of the U.S. Open, the 24-time major champion gave himself a breather, using the break to spend time with family and prepare for the final grand slam of 2025.

Tennis icon Novak Djokovic once again etched his name in the record books after his opening win over Learner Tien in the US Open.

Djokovic, 38, beat Tien, 6-1, 7-6, 6-2 to improve to 19-0 in US Open first-round matches, tying Roger Federer for first all-time. But he labored with low energy, a nasty blister on his right big toe and Tien’s level, especially in the second set.