Novak Djokovic gets US Open campaign under way with battling first-round win

Novak Djokovic, the world's top-ranked tennis player, has begun his US Open campaign with a hard-fought, three-set victory over American teenager Learner Tien. Despite facing physical issues and at times looking "dead on his feet," Djokovic managed to overcome his discomfort and prevail with a scoreline of 6-1, 7-6 (3), 6-2. The 38-year-old Serb is aiming for his 25th Grand Slam title, further cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players in the sport's history. While Djokovic has been among the top performers at Grand Slam events this year, reaching the semifinals in all three prior tournaments, his aging body has struggled to withstand the rigors of best-of-five-set matches. The article notes that Djokovic's straight-sets loss to Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon raised doubts about his ability to remain fresh and healthy deep into Grand Slam tournaments at his age. Nevertheless, the resilient Djokovic was able to push through his physical challenges and secure a hard-fought victory in his opening match at the US Open.