Novak Djokovic rediscovered his momentum at the U.S. Open, turning a spell of subdued play into a commanding performance that could shape the tournament’s second week.
After his first two matches in New York looked more like a man searching for his rhythm than the 24-time Grand Slam champion fans expected, Djokovic found his groove in a Friday win over Cameron Norrie. He served with the precision and punch that have punctuated his career, delivering 18 aces, ripping through baseline exchanges, and celebrating big moments with crowd-igniting cues. The four-set victory reinforced that Djokovic still has the gear to clash with the very best, even as the calendar and his body both tilt toward the later stages of a remarkable era.
Earlier in the tournament, the 38-year-old had navigated a first-round win over Learner Tien and a tougher test against Zachary Svajda, both of which tested his resolve more than his capacity. In those matches he didn’t always engage the way fans are accustomed to seeing, sometimes appearing detached as he tried to power through physical and mental bottlenecks. Yet against Norrie, that energy returned in full force: the movement looked clean, the reaction time snappy, and the momentum unmistakable as he began to pull away late in the third and seal the match.
Looking ahead, Djokovic faces Jan-Lennard Struff, a stubborn opponent he has dominated in the past (Djokovic leads 8-0 in their meetings, with Struff yet to beat him). If Djokovic can stay on course, he would then meet the winner of Tomáš Macháč and Taylor Fritz, with Fritz aiming to rebound from last year’s final appearance. The prospect of a path toward a 25th major title remains real, but so too does the reality that the two generational talents who have reshaped men’s tennis—Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner—lie in wait for a potential showdown on the weekend.
Djokovic has repeatedly spoken about the toll of competing at the highest level well into his late 30s. He has acknowledged that the body doesn’t always cooperate despite his meticulous routines, including disciplined diet and training, specialized recovery practices, and even experimental measures he has used over the years. He has spoken candidly about the wear and tear that accompanies a long career and the growing realization that his time at the very pinnacle is finite, even as he continues to chase every possible chance at glory.
In recent weeks he has been open about a pattern that has jolted him at the majors—moments when his mind stays locked in while his body fights to keep pace. He described the ongoing balancing act as he works through injuries and fatigue, emphasizing that the drive to compete remains intact even as the odds shift with age. After the win over Norrie, Djokovic underscored that the work is ongoing, and that his future decisions will be guided by how his body responds when it counts most.
For readers looking for every nuance, Djokovic’s approach has blended his legendary competitive temperament with a willingness to adjust and adapt. His willingness to push beyond comfort zones—whether in training, recovery, or match tactics—continues to define a career that has defied the perceived limits of aging in sport.
Additional context for readers
– Djokovic’s quick return to form comes at a time when questions about how long his body will sustain peak performance have long hovered over him. His resilience in recent weeks—a combination of focused preparation and recovery strategies—remains a talking point among coaches and peers.
– The potential matchups looming in the latter stages, particularly if he advances, will pit him against some of the sport’s brightest young stars, testing whether his experience can still tilt the balance in high-stakes moments.
Overall, the mood is cautiously optimistic for Djokovic fans: the signs of life are back, and with momentum on his side, he has at least one more big chapter left to write at Flushing Meadows. Whether this path leads to another Grand Slam championship remains a roller-coaster question, but the performance on Friday suggested the drive and capability are very much still there.