Djokovic: The blister is not a big issue, I enjoy learning multiple languages, and I’m very happy to see Serena return.

The 24-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic opened his pursuit of a 25th major singles crown at the 2025 US Open by beating 20-year-old young player Learner Chen in straight sets in the opening round.

Despite the seemingly easy score, the match was far from smooth sailing. Djokovic experienced physical difficulties in the second set and later took a medical timeout to treat a blister on his right big toe.

Broadcast footage showed that Djokovic’s right toe blister was quite severe, with some skin peeling off the big toe, which clearly affected his movement on court significantly.

After the match, Djokovic admitted, “I started well, played about twenty minutes in the first set. In the second set, after several games, I didn’t expect my fitness to drop so much.”

The Serbian added, “I haven’t played an official match for six weeks, so I had to bring my best level, which I did in the first set. The second set was a battle for survival, which might not be bad for breaking the deadlock. The blister isn’t a big problem for me, I’m not worried about it. What concerns me most now is how to recover after long matches.”

For Djokovic, this US Open is his last chance this year to chase a 25th Grand Slam title. Looking at the draw, he could face Alcaraz in the semifinals. Sinner withdrew from Cincinnati due to illness, and his current condition is unknown, which raises expectations for the Serbian. However, judging by his debut performance at the US Open, things don’t seem easy; Djokovic’s physical condition appears worse than expected, and whether he can handle the best-of-five format in majors remains uncertain.

Additionally, Djokovic showcased his linguistic talents. When asked if he is proficient in multiple languages, he quoted a Serbian proverb: “The number of languages a person speaks is the measure of their wealth.”

“I’m not exactly sure what you mean by ‘mastering a language,’” Djokovic humbly said, “but enough to communicate smoothly. When you try to speak someone else’s mother tongue, people respect you and see you differently. I’ve always appreciated when others do that.”

Djokovic also revealed his future learning plans: “I want to learn a few more languages—Greek, Russian, and maybe improve my Spanish. The tennis tour gives me the chance to be exposed to different languages.”

Beyond the matches, Djokovic spoke about another recent tennis event—Serena Williams acting as the introducer for Maria Sharapova’s Hall of Fame induction.

Regarding this, Djokovic commented, “It was a beautiful moment. I was a bit surprised Serena would attend for Maria; it was very touching. They had fierce rivalries, but both were very sincere in their speeches. Her speech was very moving, especially when she mentioned how much more alike they are than people think.”

When talking about Serena, Djokovic made a surprising challenge: “Maria deserves this honor—not only is she an extraordinary champion, but also an icon off the court. It’s always great to see Serena appear in any form in tennis; she hasn’t officially retired yet, haha. Here, I hope she might consider a comeback; she loves challenges.”

This is not the first time Djokovic has expressed admiration for Serena. At the Miami Open this March, when he saw Serena in attendance, he admitted feeling a bit nervous. During the match, Djokovic even sought advice from the American legend. After winning a sharp cross-court winner in the second set, he pointed at Williams and asked for her opinion.

The American star ended her professional tennis career after losing to Tomljanovic in the third round of the 2022 US Open. However, she has consistently denied that she has retired. Recently, Serena posted videos of her practicing on social media and warmed up with her sister in Washington. Her career spanned nearly 30 years—from turning pro in 1995 to retiring in 2022—and her sustained top-level competitiveness has amazed many fans who still hope to see the American “Black Pearl” make a comeback.

Djokovic admitted he is also facing challenges that come with aging. At 38, he must learn to conserve energy for crucial moments, and Serena has inspired him more than once. “When you approach forty, you have to save energy for key moments. I still have the desire to win and passion for competing, and the energy from the crowd drives me forward.”

Reactions on social media to Djokovic’s remarks were enthusiastic. One user wrote, “Djokovic’s respect for Serena is amazing! The mutual admiration between two legends is touching.” Another commented, “Even though Djokovic struggles with injuries himself, he still challenges Serena, showing his endless love for the sport.” Fans joked, “If Serena really makes a comeback, the WTA will be exciting! But I think she might focus more on coaching her daughter Olympia.”(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Lu Xiaotian)