Novak Djokovichad a difficult match up.
The tennis legend found himself crying and throwing up during the2026 US OpenAug. 30 after a first-round defeat toMarianoNavonein a match that lastedfourhours and 36 minutes, making it the longest opening match of a Grand Slam in Djokovic’s career.
“I didn’t enjoy myself,” Djokovic told a group of reporters after the game, perESPN. “I think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me.”
The loss marked the 39-year-old’s earliest exit from a competition in two decades and the first time he lost in the first round at the US Open. And throughout the match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, Djokovic appeared visibly ill. He threw up at least once and was also grabbing his left foot. Additionally, the tennis pro also took pills brought to him by a doctor during the game and had his lower back massaged several times.
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“It’s something that I’ve been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year: vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there,” Djokovic explained to reporters. “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.”
Following the defeat—which came 21 years to the day of his US Open debut—Djokovic admitted he was unsure if this would be his final match, adding that he was “trying to address really what’s going on and how far I can go this way.”
“Just struggled all the way since the fourth game of the match,”the dad of twosaid of his performance. “When it comes to 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’s defeat also means that he drops out of the Association of Tennis Professionals’ Top 10 for the first time since July 2018, as well as the first time since 2003 that a Slam will not feature Djokovic or fellow tennis greatsRogerFedererandRafaelNadalin the second round.
Still, Djokovic—who shares kidsStefan, 11, andTara, 8, with wifeJelena Djokovic—was thankful for his time at the US Open, posting a photo of himself toInstagramAug. 31 with the caption, “Forever grateful, New York.”
Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated
Weeks before the match, Djokovic had been candid about his ongoing health issues after his collapse and loss at the 2026 Cincinnati Open on Aug. 15.
“It’s because of a health issue I have, I’ve been dealing with it for many years now,” he explained to reporters after the match, according toForbes. “It causes me a lot of problems, especially when there’s a lot of humidity and heat.”
As such, he’s not sure what his future in the tournament will look like, noting, “Unfortunately, at this point, it seems more likely that I won’t be back next year. But let’s see what the future holds, I hope I do.”
For a look at all the stars who made their way to the US Open this year, keep reading.
