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Novak Djokovic vomited multiple times, struggled with cramps during an ‘awful’ first-round defeat at the 2026 US Open.
Novak Djokovic gets medical treatment during the first round of the US Open. (AP Photo)
Novak Djokovic has opened up about his fitness concerns following his earliest exit from the US Open in his career. Djokovic endured a horrific defeat to unheralded Argentine Mariano Navone in the opening round of the men’s singles event at the year’s final Grand Slam tournament at Arthur Ashe Stadium late Sunday.
Navone prevailed in five sets – 7-6 (7/5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 – as Djokovic battled several health issues that saw him take a medical timeout after losing the fourth set.
“I think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me,” Djokovic said after the match. “It’s something that I’ve been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year. Vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there. Then my whole body starts to collapse, basically cramping and pain.”
“Yeah, the back just gave up in the end and shoulder, and I couldn’t close it out,” he added.
The 39-year-old Serb, though, attempted to not squarely blame his defeat on his health.
“I was a break up in the fourth, but just struggled all the way since the fourth game of the match. Again, I don’t want to take too much out of his (Navone) win. Congrats to him. He’s a nice guy, a fighter. But I didn’t enjoy myself,” he said.
Djokovic considered retiring from the match but decided to continue after being encouraged by winning successive sets.
“I have, I have. I have, but then I won a set and then [the] third one,” Djokovic said. “Then I was, like, ‘Okay, maybe there is a chance’. Yeah, I didn’t want to give up in fourth or fifth, so I wanted to kind of finish the match,” he said.
The first-round defeat is the first time in two decades that Djokovic has exited a Grand Slam tournament at this stage, since the Australian Open in 2006.
“It’s a good record, another one. But, yeah, I’m not really thinking about it,” Djokovic said. “Of course, I’ve been very proud of all the achievements in the past, but now is now. Now [it] is fresh off the court and [I am] still trying to manage my body,” he said.
Djokovic teared up during the decider as the capacity crowd at the venue rallied behind him.
“They were super nice. So grateful to experience this. When it comes to [the] match itself and overall feeling of how I felt with body and playing, it was really not enjoyable. I pretty much despised every moment that I spent on the court for that,” Djokovic said.
“But from the perspective of the crowd and support, it was incredible, honestly from the beginning. They were trying to lift me up in important moments, and I’m very sorry that I didn’t perform as well as I should have or could have or wanted for them. But the love and appreciation they gave me in the end really touched my heart,” he added.
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Ask News18Novak Djokovic’s recent US Open loss, his earliest exit in a Grand Slam in two decades, has raised questions about whether it could be his final match at a major tournament. He has also expressed uncertainty about returning to the French Open after an earlier defeat this year. Djokovic, who is 39 years old, has been dealing with physical issues and has admitted he doesn’t feel equipped for deep runs in tournaments.
Ask News18About the Author
Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience …Read More
August 31, 2026, 1:37 PM IST
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