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.

He looked like someone with some rust, struggling at times against unranked American teenager Learner Tien in a 6-1, 7-6 (3), 6-2 victory at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday night.

He committed four double-faults and 34 unforced errors, miscues that could hurt him against a better opponent.

“I really was surprised how bad I was feeling in the second [set] physically,” said the seventh-seeded Djokovic, who was treated for a blister on his big toe early in the third set. “Yeah, we had long excha

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