Novak Djokovic overcame a recurring back problem to defeat Britain’s Cameron Norrie in four sets on Friday, becoming the oldest man to reach the US Open fourth round since Jimmy Connors in 1991. The 38-year-old Serbian, who has been battling physical issues throughout the season, won the third-round match 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 6-2, 6-3.
During the match, Djokovic required a medical timeout and received treatment for a back issue that has bothered him in previous Grand Slams this year. Despite the pain, he delivered a strong performance, hitting 18 aces and winning a record 192nd Grand Slam match on hard courts. The victory also tied him with Roger Federer for the most last-16 appearances at a major with 69.
“It’s frustrating for me, honestly, that I’m not able to feel 100 percent always like I have for 20-plus years,” Djokovic said after the match. “I guess the circumstances are quite different and I have to get used to the fact that every match there’s something that might happen.”
He is now in the hunt for an unprecedented 25th major title. His next opponent will be Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff, who upset American Frances Tiafoe in the third round.
In other matches, second seed Carlos Alcaraz cruised into the fourth round with a dominant 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 victory over Italy’s Luciano Darderi. Meanwhile, American hopes took a hit as Ben Shelton was forced to retire from his match against Adrian Mannarino due to a shoulder injury. Shelton, who was leading two sets to one, said he felt “the worst pain I’ve ever felt in my life” during the fourth set. His retirement, along with Tiafoe’s loss, leaves American Taylor Fritz as the sole remaining hope in the men’s singles draw.
US Open 2025: Novak Djokovic Becomes Oldest Player To Reach Round Of 16, Defeats Cameron Norrie
