Nueva York, EE. UU. – Novak Djokovic overcame a significant display of fatigue to secure a hard-fought victory over unranked American player, Ben Carter, in the opening round of the 2025 US Open today. The victory, achieved with a score of 6-4, 7-5, saw the Serbian veteran battle through three sets against a determined opponent.
Djokovic, seeded number 3 in the tournament, appeared visibly tired throughout the match, struggling with his movement and occasionally losing ground to Carter’s aggressive baseline game. The 37-year-old displayed moments of brilliant shot-making, particularly on his forehand, but frequently appeared to be relying on sheer will to keep his rallies going.
“It was a tough match, no doubt,” Djokovic admitted in his post-match press conference. “Ben played an excellent first set. I felt the effects of the heat and the travel, and I had to dig deep to find a way to turn things around.”
Carter, ranked outside the top 100, capitalized on Djokovic’s moments of vulnerability, consistently hitting deep and forcing errors from the Serbian. The American’s aggressive serving further disrupted Djokovic’s rhythm.
The first set was closely contested, with both players trading breaks. Carter’s powerful forehand proved particularly effective, allowing him to establish a lead. However, Djokovic rallied in the second set, utilizing his superior experience and strategic placement of the ball to wrest control of the match.
Djokovic’s victory, while not entirely dominant, marks an important first hurdle in his quest to win a 25th Grand Slam title. He will face Marcos Guítulos in the second round.
Analysts noted Djokovic’s performance suggests a potential concern regarding his fitness levels heading into the later stages of the tournament. The heat and humidity at the U.S. Open, combined with Djokovic’s demanding playing style, appear to be taking a toll. Whether Djokovic can effectively manage his energy levels over the next two weeks remains to be seen.