Novak Djokovic faced more than just a tough opponent in his first-round US Open match—he also had to contend with a gruesome blister on his foot.
Despite the setback, the 24-time Grand Slam champion managed to come through with a straight-sets victory, proving his resilience on the court.
A Rough Start Against Learner Tien
Djokovic began the match strongly, cruising through the opening set against rising American star Learner Tien.
But the second set proved more challenging, with a tie-break deciding the winner.
The 38-year-old appeared physically hampered at times, prompting him to request a medical timeout during a break in play.
Medical Timeout Highlights Foot Issue
A physio was called onto the court to treat Djokovic’s foot, with cameras revealing a large blister on his big toe.
The image drew a strong reaction from fans on social media, some criticizing the broadcasters for the close-up, while others expressed concern over how the blister could affect Djokovic’s tournament chances.
“That Djokovic foot did not look pretty,” one fan wrote.
Another added, “A look at the blister Novak Djokovic was dealing with tonight… gross.”
A third commented, “The blister on Djokovic’s big toe is horrific.
It’s not even a blister—it’s a one square inch flap of skin just hanging there. He’s going to need every off day to recover before his second-round match.”
Fans Worry About Tournament Impact
Some fans noted that the blister may have been caused by Djokovic’s recent absence from tour events, as this was his first singles match since the Wimbledon semi-final in July.
Despite the setback, Djokovic secured a convincing 6-1, 7-6, 6-2 win over Tien to advance to the second round.
Djokovic Reflects on Physical Concerns
After the match, Djokovic downplayed any serious injury but admitted he was concerned about his overall physical condition.
“I started great, just over 20 minutes, first set, I felt really good,” he said.
“Then some long games to start the second set, I really was surprised how bad I was feeling physically.
I struggled a lot to stay in long exchanges and recover after points.”
He added that the upcoming two-day break would help him recover, but acknowledged it was “slightly a concern.”
Djokovic emphasized that the issue wasn’t an injury, but rather the challenge of maintaining stamina and focus during long rallies.
