The 24-time Grand Slam champion units one other new mark because the oldest male participant to achieve the quarters in any respect 4 majors.
Printed On 1 Sep 2025
Novak Djokovic made Grand Slam historical past on the age of 38 with a commanding 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Jan-Lennard Struff, however the triumph got here at a price – his quarterfinal match fell on his daughter’s birthday.
“Yeah, she was not very joyful about it, me being absent from the birthday celebration. Don’t remind me of that, please,” stated Djokovic on Sunday, who turned the oldest man to achieve all 4 Grand Slam quarterfinals in a single season.
The victory additionally moved Djokovic into his sixty fourth Grand Slam quarterfinal, extending his file, whereas protecting alive his pursuit of a file twenty fifth main title.
However the Serbian’s thoughts was clearly on household issues as he spoke in regards to the sacrifice required at this stage of his profession.
“I’ll attempt to win if I’m right here. At the very least I’m going to attempt to win and provides her that type of current,” Djokovic stated.
“I’m going to ship some good presents, as properly, good surprises for her birthday celebration.”
Djokovic dominates
The match itself was a masterclass in expertise over energy through the 109-minute encounter at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Djokovic asserted management of the fourth-round match from the opening recreation, breaking the 35-year-old German’s serve six instances. His personal serve proved decisive in opposition to a participant who entered the match with the event’s second-highest ace rely at 66.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion fired 12 aces whereas successful 79 % of first-serve factors and fully neutralised Struff’s largest weapon.
“It positively helps for those who serve properly. I feel I had an excellent serving efficiency within the final spherical and likewise tonight,” Djokovic stated.
“I simply noticed the stats, I outserved one of many guys that had probably the most aces through the event this yr, in order that’s an excellent stat. Clearly, that helps make my life simpler on the court docket.”
Struff, ranked 144th on the earth, had defeated two seeded gamers – Holger Rune (eleventh) and Frances Tiafoe (seventeenth) – to achieve his first US Open fourth spherical however was unable to place any critical strain on the seventh seed.
The German managed solely 19 winners and dedicated 32 unforced errors.
Their mixed age of 73 years and 60 days made this the oldest US Open males’s singles match within the fourth spherical or later through the skilled period.
Djokovic, who now has a 36-0 file in opposition to qualifiers at Grand Slams, required remedy from the physio on his proper shoulder and forearm through the match however didn’t seem overly troubled by the problems.
Whereas he’s heading in the direction of a possible semifinal in opposition to world quantity two Carlos Alcaraz, Djokovic stated he was not wanting past his quarterfinal opponent, Taylor Fritz, who was the 2024 US Open runner-up.
“For me, final couple of years, I discovered one factor: proper now, is to take actually one match at a time,” he added.
