Novak Djokovic overcame Hungary's Marton Fucsovics 6-3 3-6 6-4 6-0 in the US Open first round on Tuesday in punishing temperatures that prompted officials to observe a heat rule for men's singles matches for the first time.
The players took a 10-minute break between the third and fourth sets to help them cope with temperatures climbing above 30 degrees Celsius.
.@DjokerNole storms back to grab the third set from M. Fucsovics 6-4!#USOpen pic.twitter.com/5AibroRP6A
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 28, 2018
The pair, who were not allowed to speak to their coaches during the break, spent the downtime side-by-side, "naked in the ice baths," Djokovic said in a post-match broadcast interview.
"It was quite a magnificent feeling, I must say," he added.
After claiming the first set, a visibly exhausted Djokovic smashed his racket as Fucsovics led 3-2 in the second. In between the action, both players draped themselves in ice towels and at one point Djokovic sat shirtless in his seat.
Two-time champ @DjokerNole overcomes extreme heat ? to survive an opening hurdle at the #USOpen
— ATP World Tour (@ATPWorldTour) August 28, 2018
The ?? stormed back from a break down in the third to d. Fucsovics 63 36 64 60
More ? https://t.co/cQqCcyH24x pic.twitter.com/NN2HIRnajI
"I was obviously hoping and praying that I'll get to feel better as the match progresses," Djokovic told reporters after the match.
"Obviously I felt better, especially after that 10-minute break. For the first three sets, it was a survival mode for both of us."
The Serb came roaring back in the third set, clawing his way from 3-1 down before sweeping Fucsovics in the fourth.
"I had to find a way to dig myself out of the trouble," Djokovic said.
"I think that was a turning point. 4-3 in the third when he was serving, I managed to play a good game."
Djokovic was back at the U.S. Open for the first time since 2016 after claiming his fourth Wimbledon title this year and completing a sweep of Masters series events.