Zachary Svajda has passed a tough 14 months outside the field after the father of the American, Tom, was diagnosed with Stadium 4 in the mid -2024.
It is understandable that Svajda struggled to maintain his push the PIF ATP rankings in the aftermath of his father’s news. But rapidly forward to the 2025 US Open and the World No. 145 Svajda has collected four Straight sets (including three in qualifying) to set up a second round of confrontation with Record 24-way Major Titlist Novak Djokovic.
Speaking after his first round against Zsombor Piros expressed Svajda hope that Tom, who lives in California, could travel to New York to see him take against Djokovic. For the 22-year-old Svajda, the opportunity will be a reward for a renewed approach to his tennis that is forged during an emotional test of 12 months.
“In recent years, with all the time I put on the field, but this year I have certainly been more professional,” said Svajda Atptour.com at Flushing Meadows. “Now I have a trainer and a new coach and everything. So we really get the team much better.
“Am I surprised? Not really. I don’t want to be stubborn at all, I am humble, but I know the work I did. It’s nice to see it coming together slowly.”
Zvajda tasted success at the US Open, when he made the then world no. 81 Marco Cecchinato Van Streek during the 2021 edition of the Hard-Court Major as an 18-year-old wildcard. He also participated in the main drawing in 2023 and 2024, but with his 6-4, 6-2, 7-5 victory against Piros on Monday, he ended a four-year waiting time over a second main victory in a major.
“I would say that it really felt better, because this is my fourth competition this year after I had to go through the qualification,” said Svajda, who compare his two American open victories. “Getting that qualifying last-round victory felt great, like a great relief. Now I have done it again, and I only have one day off, so I feel the momentum. It feels absolutely really good.”
That momentum will be tested on Wednesday in the largest specially built tennis arena in the world when he takes on Djokovic in Arthur Ashe Stadium. Svajda, who has eight winnings at tour level, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, will hope to add a good memory of a North American summer in which he has already lifted ATP Challenger Tour titles in Newport and Lexington.
“It’s great,” Svajda said to Djokovic. “I once practiced with him and he was really a nice guy. I was a bit nervous to practice with him, a few years ago. I will certainly look forward to it and will just try to soak at the moment and enjoy it as much as possible.
“I would watch a lot of his competitions [growing up]But clear he was a lot in the final of Slams. It’s just very cool to think about the fact that I will play him on Wednesday. ”
Svajda’s youth idol was the great rival Roger Federer of Djokovic. Although he may not be able to call on the Swiss legend for advice on how to surpass Djokovic in New York, he has options in the American tennis community.
“I am close to all American players,” said Svajda, who occasionally trains with Taylor Fritz in California. ‘Everyone is very nice, and it’s great to see Ben [Shelton] And Taylor succeeds and I think it gives us motivation, especially for the boys who are approximately no. 100 or so. It is absolutely cool to see.
‘I am very close to John Isner, so maybe I will talk to him [about facing Djokovic]. Although his advice would probably be normal, “a lot of aces would be good!” ”
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