Novak Djokovic Stunned In 1st Round At U.S. Open: ‘Despised Every Moment I Spent On Court’

NEW YORK NEW YORK – AUGUST 30: Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts towards Mariano Navone of Argentina throughout their Males’s Singles First Spherical match on Day One of many 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King Nationwide Tennis Heart on August 30, 2026 within the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York Metropolis. (Picture by Mike Stobe/Getty Photos)

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Novak Djokovic appeared distressed from the start of his first-round match with Mariano Navone on the U.S. Open.

The usually passionate Serb didn’t interact the group for a lot of the match and threw up a number of occasions on courtroom whereas battling abdomen discomfort. Throughout Sunday’s match, he additionally used an inhaler and took tablets after saying following his first-round loss in Cincinnati he’s been “coping with [a health issue] for a few years now.”

In the long run, the 24-time main champion and No. 4 seed misplaced an agonizing 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 match in 4 hours, 36 minutes to Navone, a plucky Argentine who doesn’t personal a single ATP Tour-level title and is ranked No. 49 on the earth. The loss got here with the roof in Arthur Ashe Stadium closed on account of rain on a heat and humid evening in New York.

The 39-year-old Djokovic hadn’t misplaced within the first spherical of a significant since early in his profession, in 2006. He had been 19-0 within the first spherical of the U.S. Open. His spouse Jelena and kids Stefan and Tara had been available to witness this historic loss.

The defeat got here 21 years to the day that he made his U.S. Open debut towards Gael Monfils on Aug. 30, 2005. He’ll fall out of the Top 10 for the primary time since July 2018.

“I believe it was apparent that it was an terrible feeling on the courtroom for me,” Djokovic informed reporters, per Yahoo Sports. “I struggled for the reason that fourth recreation of the match. I do not wish to take an excessive amount of [away from] his win. Congrats to him. He is a pleasant man, fighter, however you realize, I did not get pleasure from myself.”

Requested if he may repair his medical downside, Djokovic mentioned: “”I don’t know. I am making an attempt, man. I am making an attempt. Let’s examine.”

After the loss, he waived to the group, gave the center sign and signed autographs earlier than leaving the courtroom.

“I believe it truly seems higher for him as a result of it reveals he’s human,” John McEnroe mentioned on ESPN. “It provides you a fair larger sense of how superb his accomplishments had been.”

The final time that none of “The Massive 3” of Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal had been within the second week of a significant was 2003 Roland Garros, per ESPN.

For Navone, who grew up idolizing Djokovic, it was the win of his life.

“That is [an] superb courtroom on the largest stage,” he mentioned on courtroom. “It’s superb the way in which we performed, I imply 5 units towards the GOAT is nothing to daily. I’m very completely satisfied, what can I say.”

He added: “Novak means so much for me..It was very powerful for me since you’re taking part in with the GOAT on this courtroom right here and he’s right here daily on this courtroom when he performs the U.S. Open. This implies so much, it’s a dream come true. It’s actually 100%. Now I’ve to get well, I believe it’s nearly 12 o’clock, we have now to fall asleep.”

Djokovic is a 10-time U.S. Open finalist, having misplaced six of the ten. His final main victory got here in New York in 2023, however he’s nonetheless bidding for a file twenty fifth main title three years later.

Within the decisive fifth set, Djokovic fell behind 0-40 whereas serving at 0-1. Navone ultimately broke for 2-0 when the Serb couldn’t get to a passing shot after approaching the web.

After holding for 1-3, the group roared for Djokovic, who gave the impression to be on the point of tears whereas managing his bodily and emotional situation.

“My entire physique begins to break down,” he mentioned. “In the case of the match itself and the general feeling of how I felt with the physique, taking part in was actually not pleasurable. Just about despised each second I spent on courtroom. However from the angle of the group, it was unbelievable. From the start, they had been making an attempt to carry me up in essential moments and I am sorry that I did not carry out in addition to I ought to have or may have wished.”

After main 4-2 within the first set, Djokovic finally misplaced it in a tiebreak.

Within the second set, Navone held serve for 5-4 with a 100-mph ace. However a decided Djokovic then broke the shaky Argentine at love for a 6-5 and held serve a like to even the match at one set all.

“And now al of a sudden, he’s beginning to seem like Novak Djokovic,” John McEnroe mentioned on air.

McEnroe identified that Djokovic was not utilizing the group to his benefit.

“Virtually no recognition of the group up to now, besides when he walked out,” he mentioned.

Within the third set, Djokovic was proven throwing up within the towel bin, triggering “Boot and rally” jokes from James Blake and the ESPN crew.

Nonetheless, he didn’t face a break level on his serve all set and broke for 5-4 when Navone netted a forehand on break level. At that time, Djokovic lastly put his hand to his ear to fireside up the group.

He closed out the serve on his set for 6-4.

Djokovic was proven throwing up but once more early within the fourth set.

Halfway by way of the fourth, Djokovic appeared in additional discomfort as he confronted attainable cramping. He repeatedly tried to stretch out his legs and again on courtroom.

“This isn’t a lot enjoyable for him tonight in any respect,” Chris Fowler mentioned on ESPN.

Navone broke Djokovic for 4-2 within the fourth when the Serb sailed a forehand broad.

It’s unclear what’s forward for Djokovic, who beat world No. 1 Jannik Sinner to achieve the Australian Open closing earlier this yr and made the semis of all 4 majors final yr.

“Sadly, all nice issues do ultimately come to an finish,” McEnroe mentioned on ESPN. “Sure, right here’s one other cliche. Father Time is undefeated and it did ultimately catch as much as Novak Djokovic as we speak.”