Novak Djokovic’s US Open Dreams Come to End with Shock First-Round Exit after Body Betrays Him on Court

Novak Djokovic’s latest Grand Slam campaign ended far earlier than expected after the Serbian star was beaten in the opening round of the US Open, marking his earliest major exit in more than two decades. The five-set loss to unseeded world No. 49 Mariano Navone, 6(5)-7, 7-5, 6-4, 2-6, 1-6, was Djokovic’s first first-round loss at a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open.

His physical condition became a major factor during the match, something that has followed him for much of the year. Djokovic had started 2026 by reaching the final of the year’s first Grand Slam, where he managed to take a set from eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz.

Tearful Exit

Nine months later, however, this early US Open exit raises fresh questions over whether the world No. 5 can continue competing at the highest level for much longer. With Jannik Sinner sidelined by injury and Alcaraz returning to action in New York after an extended absence, the draw at the US Open appeared to offer Djokovic a major opportunity.

Instead, his shock first-round exit will see him fall outside the world’s top 10 for the first time since 2018.

The match stretched into its fifth hour, and with Djokovic trailing 3-1 in the deciding set, the Serbian appeared close to tears. At that moment, the prospect of securing a record 25th Grand Slam title seemed more distant than ever.

Djokovic was forced to battle on multiple fronts against Navone, a determined clay-court specialist who repeatedly extended rallies and refused to give him easy points. The contest lasted four hours and 37 minutes, making it the longest opening-round Grand Slam match of Djokovic’s career, and he looked uncomfortable from the outset.

Later, Djokovic said he had “despised” his time on court, again pointing to the unnamed health problem he has been dealing with as a key reason his body struggled to cope.

“It is something that I’ve been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year,” Djokovic said, referring to the “health condition” he first spoke about earlier this month following his loss at the Cincinnati Open.

“Vomiting, throwing up, serious issue there, and then my whole body starts to collapse, basically cramping and pain, and the back just gave up in the end, and shoulder, and I couldn’t close it out.”

Asked whether he believed the problem could be resolved, Djokovic offered a brief response: “I don’t know. I’m trying, man. I’m trying. Let’s see.”

Real Health Problem Still Unclear

The physical problems resurfaced in New York after Djokovic had also vomited several times during his Cincinnati defeat. In the third set against Navone, he again became sick, including during the sixth game when he doubled over at the back of the court.

Djokovic managed to hold serve despite the episode and eventually took the second set in succession after losing the opener in a tiebreak littered with uncharacteristic errors.

The difficulties had been visible from the beginning. Before the roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium was closed because of rain, Djokovic appeared to struggle with the humid conditions, using an ice bag on his head and repeatedly holding his temples.

When the roof was shut, he urged the supervisor to switch on the air conditioning during an early break. Once play resumed, a tournament physiotherapist gave him two tablets, which Djokovic took as he continued trying to manage his physical condition.

Later in the third set, with the match approaching the four-hour mark, Djokovic’s team handed him fluids from courtside as they looked for ways to help him get through the contest.

His wife, Jelena, watched from the stands as Djokovic struggled against both Navone and his physical problems. At several points, she appeared distressed, putting her head in her hands as the match unfolded.

Djokovic later acknowledged that retirement had crossed his mind because of his physical condition. However, taking the second and third sets in succession made him reconsider that option.

Following his Cincinnati loss to another Argentine, Thiago Agustin Tirante, Djokovic had said he had found it increasingly difficult to cope with the heat in recent years. He also revealed that the health problem had been affecting him “for the past couple of years.”

After being sick in New York, Djokovic briefly looked as though he had recovered his rhythm. He closed out the third set and then broke Navone early in the fourth, appearing to put himself in a strong position.

Navone, however, responded immediately by breaking back, leaving Djokovic shaking his head in frustration and disbelief.

The Argentine then seized control. After ending Djokovic’s brief momentum, Navone won the remainder of the set without dropping another game, forcing a deciding fifth set as the marathon pushed toward the five-hour mark.

Before the final set began, Djokovic took more medication and called for a medical timeout. A US Open trainer worked on his lower back, massaging the area before the 24-time Grand Slam champion returned to Arthur Ashe Stadium wearing a fresh white shirt.

The fifth set, though, was far more one-sided. Djokovic’s level quickly deteriorated, and he appeared increasingly emotional as opportunities for another remarkable comeback disappeared.