Who Is Zach Svajda? Meet the American Who Took a Set Off Novak Djokovic at the US Open

The Arthur Ashe Moment

When Zach Svajda walked onto Arthur Ashe Stadium at the US Open, he was facing the kind of moment millions dream about and only a handful ever live. Across the net stood Novak Djokovic, a 23-time Grand Slam champion.

Most players in their early 20s would have been overwhelmed. Zach wasn’t.

“Playing Novak has always been a dream of mine since I was a little kid.”

He came out calm, stayed with Djokovic through a tense opening set, and stunned the crowd by taking it in a tiebreak.

“I was just looking around and thought, wow, this is a full stadium. This is really cool.”

Djokovic eventually took over and won the match, but for Zach, the result didn’t matter.

“That match gave me a lot of confidence. I know now that if I play well, I can compete with anyone.”

The Making of a Prodigy

Zach’s story begins in San Diego, where his dad, a former college player and coach, put a racket in his hand almost before he could walk.

“I started when I was two years old. I don’t even remember it.”

By age 11, he had already chosen tennis over baseball and committed to the sport.

“I got homeschooled in third grade, so I was playing tennis like all day.”

When he was 16, everything changed.

“I was sixteen when I won it. I wasn’t expecting it.”

The “it” was Kalamazoo, the most prestigious junior tournament in the U.S. The winner gets a wildcard into the US Open. Zach’s victory sent him straight into the spotlight.

“Most kids my age were starting high school. I was playing my first Grand Slam.”

Facing Novak Djokovic

Fast forward a few years, and Zach had already been grinding on the tour. When the US Open draw revealed the chance to play Djokovic, he knew it was going to be special.

He kept his routine the night before: dinner with his brothers and coaches, some laughs with friends, and trying not to overthink.

When he finally walked into Arthur Ashe, the scale of it hit him.

“I was just looking around and thought, wow, this is a full stadium. This is really cool.”

And then he made history, taking a set off Djokovic in front of a roaring crowd.

The Sacrifices You Don’t See

From the outside, tennis can look glamorous. The stadiums, the travel, the thrill of competition. But Zach is honest about the grind behind it all.

“I’m traveling about 30, 35 weeks a year.”

When he was 17, he moved to Los Angeles to train.

“I got my first apartment when I was 18, but before that I was just in a hotel for like eight months.”

It was isolating at times, but it forced him to grow up fast.

“In any top sport, you kind of have to be a little selfish at times. Your job comes first. But I’ve learned I need balance too. Otherwise you burn out.”

The Mental Game

What separates good players from great ones in tennis is the mental side. Zach knows that better than most.

“At the end of the day, it’s just a tennis match, just hitting a yellow ball over the net.”

That perspective helps him handle pressure. Even after tough losses, he finds a way to reset.

“Learn from the match, take the positives, and then move on to the next one.”

During matches, he leans on simple self-talk to stay focused:

“Forget about it, move on to the next point. Keep swinging out.”

Lessons for Guys in Their 20s

Even though he’s only 22, Zach has perspective that applies far beyond tennis.

“Do something you enjoy and give it a hundred percent. Whether it’s tennis, acting, or being a lawyer, make sure you love it and then commit.”

He also shared advice he once got from Novak Djokovic.

“Novak told me, all your buckets have to be full. Family, social life, your health, your career. If one is empty, you’re not going to perform your best.”

And if he could talk to his 16-year-old self?

“Don’t put so much pressure on yourself. Enjoy it. Losing isn’t the end of the world.”

FAQ: Zach Svajda’s Journey

Who is Zach Svajda?
Zach Svajda is a 22-year-old professional tennis player from San Diego who started playing at age two, won Kalamazoo at sixteen, and made his US Open debut as a teenager.

How did Zach qualify for the US Open?
He won the prestigious Kalamazoo junior tournament, which gave him a wildcard entry into the main draw.

What was it like to play Novak Djokovic?
Zach called it a dream come true. He won the first set in a tiebreak and left with the confidence that he belongs at the highest level.

What sacrifices has Zach made?
He has been homeschooled, lived in hotels to train, and spends most of the year traveling. He admits it can be lonely, but it taught him discipline and independence.

What advice does Zach give young athletes?
Do something you love, commit fully, and do not let setbacks define you. Keep balance across family, friends, health, and career.

The Road Ahead

Zach Svajda may not be a household name yet, but nights like his battle with Djokovic are how new names are made. He has already proven he can compete with the best. What will define him now is how he grows, adapts, and survives the grind of the tour.

For Zach, that night on Arthur Ashe was not the end of the journey. It was just the beginning.

If you want the takeaways broken down, I pulled together 7 lessons from Zach’s journey. And if you still have questions about the life of a pro tennis player, I answered them in a Q&A format here.