Novak Djokovic had tennis fans holding their breath when he needed a medical timeout during his third-round match at the 2025 US Open. But the 38-year-old Serbian star quickly put those concerns to rest, flashing his trademark confidence with a smile and declaring he feels “as young as ever and strong as ever.”
What Sparked Novak Djokovic’s Back Scare Against Cameron Norrie?
The 24-time Grand Slam champion advanced to the fourth round at Flushing Meadows with a hard-fought 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-3 victory over Cameron Norrie. The win made Djokovic the oldest man to reach the US Open fourth round since Jimmy Connors accomplished the feat in 1991. Additionally, the triumph pushed his Grand Slam wins on hard courts to 192, breaking Roger Federer’s previous record of 191.
The injury scare happened late in the first set when Djokovic was serving at 5-3. During an intense rally, he lunged awkwardly for a volley at the net and immediately grimaced, clutching his lower left back. He managed to finish the game but called for the trainer at the changeover.
After receiving courtside treatment, Djokovic left for a medical timeout and returned with his movement clearly restricted. Throughout the second set, he continued getting massages from his team and took medication to manage the discomfort. However, his play gradually improved as the match progressed.
‘As young and strong as ever’ says @DjokerNole 💪 pic.twitter.com/2qE2CGNCdB
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 30, 2025
When asked about his condition during his on-court interview, Djokovic kept things light while staying strategically vague. “Yeah, it’s all right. You have some ups and downs, I guess. You don’t want to reveal too much to the rivals listening and watching this interview,” he said while pointing directly at the camera.
“I’m good, man. I’m as young as ever and strong as ever. That’s exactly right. Of course, it’s New York, even if you’re feeling something bodywise, the energy that you feel in this court just overrides it.”
How Did Djokovic Explain the Injury During His Press Conference?
During his post-match press conference, Djokovic provided more details about exactly what happened during that concerning moment. “I was 5-3 up. I think it was 30-0, and it was quite an exciting point. I was at the net, moving in the right direction, and I caught the ball. I just made a quick move and reaction, and I felt the left side of my back,” he explained.
Djokovic also showed his sportsmanship by making sure his opponent understood the situation. “I finished that game, and I felt like I needed treatment. I told Cameron at the net that I didn’t want him to think I was doing it on purpose to bother him, because it absolutely was not my intention.”
The Serbian star acknowledged that the medication helped him get through the match. “I just felt like I needed that treatment, and I felt better after that when the meds kicked in as well. When it gets cold tomorrow, I’ll see what the reality is. But yeah, I was lucky not to have that burden stay there. It was just there for a few games, and after that it was fine.”
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Djokovic now moves on to face French qualifier Jan-Lennard Struff in the fourth round. The two players have met seven times previously on the ATP Tour, with Djokovic winning every encounter for a perfect 7-0 head-to-head record. The winner of their upcoming match will advance to face either 21st seed Tomáš Macháč or fourth seed Taylor Fritz in the quarterfinals.
