In his long-awaited return after six weeks away, Novak Djokovic looked, at times, like a warrior fighting his own body. The 38-year-old staggered through stretches of his US Open opener against American teenager Learner Tien, his frustration spilling over as fatigue set in. Yet, when the storm hit hardest, he summoned grit, controlled his nerves, and turned the battle in his favor. Having already reached three Grand Slam semi-finals this year, Djokovic still stands among the elite, but he admits the physical toll of five-set tennis grows heavier. And now that he has reached the US Open‘s third round, he honestly spoke about his body’s struggles while continuing to compete.

Novak Djokovic once again battled through turbulence at the US Open, grinding out a second-round victory that was more about survival than spectacle. The 38-year-old, far from his flowing best, dropped the opening set against American qualifier Zachary Svajda before clawing his way back with grit and precision. His 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 triumph extended his flawless second-round record in New York and secured a 19th appearance in the tournament’s third round.

Yet beneath the scoreline lies a deeper truth. Djokovic’s aura of invincibility has begun to bend against the weight of time. Long rallies and physical demands now test his endurance in ways they once did not, and the Serbian himself is the first to acknowledge the toll.

“It is a little bit different in the past couple of years for me,” Djokovic admitted after the match. “Kind of get a wear and tear quicker than I used to. I have to deal with that, a lot of recovery stuff off the court to try to make myself able to perform at the highest level for as many hours on the court.”

To be honest, he has spoken from experience, and his words carry the weight of a body that has endured the harshest of battles. If 2025 has proven anything, it is that the Grand Slam grind has taken a profound toll on the Serbian’s frame. At the Australian Open, his campaign ended abruptly when he withdrew mid-match against Alexander Zverev in the semifinals. Zverev edged a brutal opening set in a 7–6 tiebreaker that lasted an hour and 26 minutes, and Djokovic, feeling the strain, could push no further.

The story only continued at Roland Garros. Djokovic, who has long made Paris a fortress of endurance, was forced to call a medical timeout against Corentin Moutet after a blister tore open on his big left toe. The pain was visible, yet he still summoned enough grit to escape in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(1), proving that even compromised, his willpower remains one of the strongest weapons in tennis.

By Wimbledon, however, the wear began to show in deeper ways. Facing Jannik Sinner in the semifinal, Djokovic battled not only the opponent across the net but also his own body. A hip and groin injury, sustained two days earlier against Flavio Cobolli when he slipped on the baseline, became a decisive factor. Each stride seemed heavier, each rally more punishing, until Sinner eventually closed the door.

The struggles persisted into Flushing Meadows. In his opening round, Djokovic called upon ATP physio Clay Sniteman after blood seeped from his right toe, forcing tape to be re-applied. Earlier in the match, he stretched and twisted his frame in strange ways, pulling his racquet behind his head as if to draw in oxygen for another surge of survival.

Now, into the third round of the US Open, the 38-year-old refuses to bow to pain. His body may scream with reminders of age, but his voice carries only determination. The quest for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam continues, and with Djokovic, every step forward feels like defiance against time itself.

Djokovic reflects on gritty US Open win over Svajda

Novak Djokovic’s march through the US Open has once again proven to be a test of body, mind, and spirit. Against American qualifier Zachary Svajda, the 38-year-old endured a shaky start. He committed 14 unforced errors in the opening set and later trailed 1-3 in the third. But as champions do, Djokovic dug deeper, raising his intensity just as his opponent’s body began to betray him.

“Not that great to be honest,” Djokovic admitted when asked about his performance. “I was not really happy with my tennis in the first part of the match but also credit to Zach for playing some really high-quality tennis. It was unfortunate that he struggled with injury towards the end of the second, but kudos to him for staying on the court. He obviously could not serve as well as he did for the first set and a half but I wish him all the best.”

Despite the rough edges, Djokovic’s victory carved another slice of history. This triumph marked his 75th third-round appearance at a major, eclipsing Roger Federer’s record of 74. As if that were not enough, he also equaled Federer’s all-time record of 191 hard-court Grand Slam wins.

His relentless numbers only add weight to his already towering legacy. Djokovic’s Grand Slam win-loss record now stands at a staggering 394-54, including 17-3 this season alone. And still, the Serb chases history with fire in his eyes, hunting down a record-extending 25th major title.

Up next, Djokovic awaits either Cameron Norrie or Francisco Comesana. Another hurdle, another test. But for a man who thrives on pressure and builds greatness from struggle, the path forward feels as compelling as ever.

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