Novak Djokovic Suffers Shock First-Round Exit at US Open Amid Physical Pain and Tears

Serbia's Novak Djokovic acknowledges the crowd before stepping off the court following his defeat in the first round of the US Open. Djokovic lost to unseeded Argentinian player Mariano Navone in five sets [Charly Triballeau/AFP]. Battling physical and internal ailments, Novak Djokovic made numerous mistakes and struggled to overcome a feisty, younger opponent who remained unintimidated under the lights against tennis’s most decorated player.

The 39-year-old exited the US Open after a first-round defeat to Mariano Navone on Sunday night, falling 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a grueling four-hour, 36-minute marathon. This marked the longest opening match of a Grand Slam in Djokovic’s career and his earliest exit in two decades, dating back to the 2006 Australian Open. He had previously never lost in the opening round at the US Open.

“I didn’t enjoy myself,” Novak Djokovic said. “I think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me.”

The 24-time major title record holder threw up at least once and appeared to experience cramps while grabbing his left foot. A doctor provided pills, and a medical timeout between the fourth and fifth sets involved a lower back massage, with Novak Djokovic grimacing after multiple shots. The toll of sickness and soreness was evident [Robert Deutsch/Reuters], leading to 70 unforced errors in a painful performance that concluded just minutes before midnight.

“It’s something that I’ve been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year: vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there,” Novak Djokovic stated. “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.”

Marking 21 years to the day since his US Open debut, the defeat raises questions about whether this was Novak Djokovic’s final match at this or any Grand Slam tournament. Following the loss, he noted he was “trying to address really what’s going on and how far I can go this way.”

The number four seed from Serbia initially secured 3-0 and 4-1 leads before relinquishing them to lose the first set—his first opening-set loss in the first round of the US Open since 2006. “Just struggled all the way since the fourth game of the match,” Novak Djokovic remarked. “When it comes to the match itself and overall feeling of how I felt with my body and playing, it was really not enjoyable. I pretty much despised every moment that I spent on the court for that.”

With his wife, Jelena, watching anxiously from the stands, Novak Djokovic showed flashes of his legendary form, offering a reserved fist pump after taking the second set and cupping his ear to the crowd for applause during the third. However, Mariano Navone, a 25-year-old from Argentina who secured his first ATP singles title earlier this year, maintained his momentum alongside Novak Djokovic's ongoing physical struggles.

After sending a shot wide in the fourth set, Novak Djokovic landed awkwardly and dropped his racket, essentially conceding the set. He ultimately fell short of securing what would have been his 43rd five-set victory, while Mariano Navone celebrated his first, describing the outcome as a dream come true.

“[It] was very tough for me because you are playing with the ‘GOAT’ on this court,” said Mariano Navone, who grew up idolising Novak Djokovic. “For sure it’s the best thing I’ve had on court. This is an amazing court and the biggest stage. It’s amazing, the way we play. I mean, five sets … I’m very happy. I don’t know. What can I say?”

The loss deepens a difficult stretch for Novak Djokovic, who previously exited in the second round at the hardcourt tuneup in Cincinnati earlier this month. That tournament marked his first competitive appearance since falling to Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon semifinals. Although Novak Djokovic expressed optimism on Saturday that his early exit in Cincinnati provided extra preparation time for the US Open, he acknowledged mounting challenges regarding first-round matches in recent years, leaving his competitive future uncertain.