Novak Djokovic Overcomes Neck Scare to Attain US Open Quarterfinals

Novak Djokovic as soon as once more demonstrated why he is among the best grinders in tennis historical past. Despite preventing via neck ache in his fourth-round battle on the 2025 US Open, the Serbian famous person breezed previous qualifier Jan-Lennard Struff in straight units, 6-3, 6-3, 6-2, at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The win secured his record-tying sixty fourth Grand Slam quarterfinal berth. By advancing, Djokovic turned the primary participant—man or girl—within the Open Era to succeed in the quarterfinals at each main 9 completely different occasions in his profession. The milestone pushed him previous Roger Federer, solidifying his place as essentially the most constant performer throughout tennis’ greatest levels.

Neck Issue Doesn’t Slow Him Down

According to ESPN, Djokovic was in full command at first, racing to a 4-0 lead within the first set. But after he hit a terrific volley winner, he simply instinctively slapped the again of his neck, and the seen discomfort was evident. He momentarily misplaced power, dropping two consecutive video games as he stretched and rotated his neck between factors.

But attribute of him, Djokovic composed himself and regained management in a rush. His coach came around him on the changeover and offered him with therapy and a therapeutic massage on his neck and shoulder. He additionally acquired therapy later through the match on his proper forearm.

Despite all these accidents, his on-court sport was sharp, exhibiting no indicators of vulnerability when the rallies acquired more durable.

At 38, Djokovic turned the oldest US Open males’s quarterfinalist since Jimmy Connors in 1991. He is at the moment the oldest participant to make it to the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam since Federer did so at Wimbledon in 2021.

Djokovic Prepares for Next Challenge With Taylor Fritz

With the victory, Djokovic took his head-to-head with Struff to 8-0 and now shifts consideration to his quarterfinal in opposition to final 12 months’s US Open finalist, Taylor Fritz. Fritz made his method into the match by defeating Tomas Machac in straight units to schedule a high-intensity encounter with the 24-time Grand Slam champion. Djokovic is undefeated in opposition to Fritz with a whopping 10-0 document, however the American can be seeking to break that streak on residence soil.

Fighting Through Physical Setbacks

This wasn’t the primary event on which Djokovic had bodily points throughout a event. Previous rounds concerned him receiving therapy for foot blisters and a decrease again criticism. Nevertheless, his capability to combat via adversity displays the mindset that has characterised his profession.

In a US Open interview, the Serbian tennis participant mentioned he would deal with health as he superior into spherical 4. He believed that he nonetheless had the sport left in him. While he is not as sturdy as 20-plus-year-old gamers, Djokovic believes that “biological age is not something that he can reverse, and it is what it is.”