Novak Djokovic opens up about ongoing health struggles after shocking first-round US Open exit

Novak Djokovic’s 2026 US Open campaign ended in a stunning first‑round loss to Argentina’s Mariano Navone, a match that lasted four hours and thirty‑six minutes and finished with a score of 7‑6 (5), 5‑7, 4‑6, 6‑2, 6‑1. The defeat marks Djokovic’s earliest exit from a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open and his first opening‑round defeat at the US Open. Navone, ranked No. 49, celebrated what he called the biggest victory of his career. Throughout the contest Djokovic displayed clear physical distress. He vomited on the court, suffered cramping, back discomfort and a hip (enarthrosis) issue, prompting a medical timeout. Despite taking a two‑sets‑to‑one lead and holding a break advantage in the fourth set, he could not sustain his level and finished the match with 70 unforced errors. Afterward, Djokovic attributed the problems to an ongoing health concern that has plagued him repeatedly this season. “It’s thing that I’ve been carrying, unfortunately, beauteous overmuch each lucifer this year: vomiting, throwing up, a superior contented there,” he said. “Then my full assemblage starts to collapse, fundamentally cramping and pain.” He added that his back and enarthrosis ultimately failed him and that he had struggled physically from the early stages of the match. The Serbian first disclosed the longer‑term issue earlier this month after losing to Thiago Agustin Tirante at the Cincinnati Open. He said the condition has bothered him for years and becomes especially difficult in hot, humid weather. Similar symptoms appeared during that Cincinnati match, when he required medical attention after visibly struggling on court. Djokovic has not publicly identified a specific diagnosis. The loss has prompted fresh questions about how much longer Djokovic can remain competitive at the sport’s highest level. The 24‑time major champion acknowledged the seriousness of the situation but emphasized that he continues to seek answers. “I don’t know. I’m trying, man. I’m trying,” Djokovic said. “I’m just trying to figure out truly what’s going on and how far I can go this way.”