US Open: Novak Djokovic battles through toe blister; historic rally for Philippines’ Alexandra Eala
The 2025 US Open, starting August 24, saw Novak Djokovic battle through a painful toe blister to advance, while Alexandra Eala etched her name in history as the first Filipino to win a Grand Slam main-draw match. Djokovic’s resilience and Eala’s dramatic comeback against Clara Tauson highlighted Day 1, showcasing grit and groundbreaking moments at Flushing Meadows.
Djokovic’s Blister Battle
Novak Djokovic, the No. 7 seed and four-time US Open champion, faced 19-year-old American Learner Tien in the first round, securing a 6-1, 7-6(3), 6-2 victory despite a “nasty” blister on his right big toe. Mid-match, ESPN cameras captured a trainer treating the injury during a break, with Djokovic visibly in pain during the second set’s hour-long tiebreak battle (web:0, post:0). “I struggled to stay in long exchanges,” he admitted, noting the blister affected his movement (web:3). The new two-day break between rounds, due to the tournament’s Sunday start, offers recovery time before his second-round match against American Zachary Svajda on Wednesday (web:1). Djokovic’s 19-0 first-round US Open record remains intact, with fans on X praising his grit: “Nole’s toe looked brutal, but he’s unstoppable” (@DjokovicFan, August 24, 2025) (post:1).
Eala’s Historic Comeback
Alexandra Eala, ranked No. 75, made history by defeating No. 14 seed Clara Tauson 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(13-11) in a 2-hour-36-minute thriller, becoming the first Filipino to win a main-draw Grand Slam match in the Open Era. Trailing 5-1 in the third set, Eala staged a stunning rally, winning five straight games and saving four match points in a tense tiebreak (web:12, web:15). Supported by a raucous Filipino crowd in Queens’ Little Manila, she collapsed in tears after Tauson’s final forehand went long. “To be Filipino is something I take so much pride in,” Eala said, fueled by her 2022 US Open junior title (web:20). Her next match is against either Claire Liu or Cristina Bucsa.
Broader Context
Djokovic’s perseverance mirrors challenges faced by peers like Coco Gauff, adapting to new coaches, or Luke Littler, thriving under darts pressure. Eala’s breakthrough, akin to Emma Raducanu’s 2021 US Open run, highlights rising stars defying odds. A controversial moment arose when Tauson disputed a net-contact call, but Eala’s composure prevailed (web:14). Fans on X celebrated, with one post noting, “Eala’s heart is unreal! Philippines’ pride!” (@PinoyTennis, August 24, 2025). As Djokovic rests and Eala carries her nation’s hopes, their Day 1 heroics set the tone for a thrilling US Open.
