Novak Djokovic admits to physical ‘concern’ at US Open after ‘challenging’ first round win over Learner Tien

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Novak Djokovic opened his US Open campaign with a straight sets victory over Learner Tien in the first night session on Arthur Ashe, coming through a 6-1 7-6(3) 6-2 winner. But despite the straightforward scoreline, the 24-time major winner admitted to some physical struggles after the match, and had to receive treatment for a blister during it. Djokovic is seeded seventh in New York this year.

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Novak Djokovic won his first match since his Wimbledon exit in July, beating Learner Tien 6-1 7-6(3) 6-2 at the US Open.

Tien is ranked 50 and looked to be a dangerous prospect for Djokovic, who had not played since he lost to Jannik Sinner in straight sets in the Wimbledon semi-finals.

Djokovic opted not to take part in any of the traditional warm-up events in the build-up to the US Open at Flushing Meadows, but looked anything but rusty in a quick opening set.

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He had to work much harder against the talented American in the second set, before coming through in the tie-break and taking the third 6-2.

The Serbian great wrapped up the match in two hours 25 minutes for a record 75th straight first round Grand Slam victory - the first singles player to hit that milestone in the Open era.

The scoreline might have looked straightforward, but the match was anything but, with a raucous crowd cheering on the home favourite, and Djokovic requiring treatment for a blister midway through.

Djokovic admitted afterwards in the press conference that despite grabbing the victory and marching on, there are some concerns he needs to address - especially physically.

"I started great. Just over 20 minutes, first set, I felt really good," he said.

"Then some long games to start the second set, and then I start to feel really...I don't know why. I really was surprised how bad I was feeling in the second physically.

"Yeah, we had long exchanges, but also, I kind of dropped my level and made a lot of unforced errors and kind of got him back into the match.

"There are positives but also things that hopefully won't happen in terms of how I feel on the court physically - the way I felt in the second set. Hopefully that doesn't happen, because then it makes my life on the court definitely much more challenging."

Djokovic plays another American in the second round, Zachary Svajda who is ranked 145 in the world and came through qualifying before beating Zsombor Piros in the first round.

"Good thing, two days off now. But yeah, it's slightly a concern," Djokovic added. "I don't know. I don't have any injury or anything. I just struggled a lot to stay in long exchanges and recover after points. It is what it is.

"But again, there was quite a bit of tension on the court, playing a young American, night session. For me, I haven't played a match, official match, six weeks. You know, I had to deliver my A-game, which I did I think in the first set.

"Particularly in the second, it was surviving on the court. But in the important moments I just put one ball more in the court than he did."

As for the blister on his toe, which required some on-court treatment at the end of the second set, Djokovic was quick to play down any worries about that moving forward.

"The blister, okay, it bothered me for a bit, but it wasn't an issue. I'm not concerned about blister. It's more just overall feeling of, yeah, just recovery after the points, long rallies wasn't that great today."

With the US Open opting for a Sunday start, in line with the Australian Open and French Open, Djokovic does have the aforementioned two days off before playing again.

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