Emotional Djokovic sparks retirement fears after US Open exit: Hated every moment

Novak Djokovic has admitted he is not sure “how much longer” he can go on after a punishing physical ordeal ended his US Open campaign in the first round. The 39-year-old broke down in tears after losing 7-6, 5-7, 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 to Mariano Navon and his comments raised fresh questions about his future in tennis.

Djokovic’s physical problems were visible from the early stages his first-round clash with Navone as he battled wet conditions at Arthur Ashe Stadium. At the post-match press conference, the 24-time Grand Slam champion revealed the extent of the problems that plagued him during the competition.

Novak Djokovic looks very emotional 1-3 in the 5th set against Navona at the US Open.

It definitely hurts physically, but it also feels like emotional tears.

4 or more hours at age 39.

The New York crowd tries to spur him on to another heroic comeback.

pic.twitter.com/QsZqF0Z04o— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 31, 2026

“The vomiting, the gagging, that’s a serious problem. Then my whole body started to give way with cramps and pain,” said Djokovic. “In the end, my back and shoulder also broke and I couldn’t finish the match. I broke in the fourth set, but from the fourth game I was struggling a lot.”

Djokovic was then asked how he could solve the physical problems and what he learned from the difficult period. His response offered perhaps the biggest indication yet that he is beginning to doubt how much longer he can continue at the highest level.

“I don’t know (how I can solve it). I don’t want to go into too much detail at this point. I’m just trying to understand what’s going on and how long I can go on like this,” Djokovic said.

The Serb looked more and more exhausted as the match went on. He threw up during the third set but somehow recovered to win the second and third sets after dropping the opener, only for Navone to take control in the fourth before taking the deciding set.

DJOKOVIC WAS IN PAIN

Djokovic’s physical problems were evident even before the vomiting incident. In the wet conditions, he put an ice pack on his head and asked if the air conditioning could be turned on after the roof was closed for rain.

After vomiting during the third set, Djokovic was given tablets by the tournament physio and fluids from his team’s court. He was still able to break Navone and move ahead in the fourth set, but back and shoulder problems eventually affected his serve.

Navone took advantage of Djokovic’s waning energy to win the fourth set 6-2 before taking the decision 6-1. Djokovic admitted the thought of stopping crossed his mind but refused to walk away.

“Yes, he had,” Djokovic said when asked if he had considered giving up. “But then I won one set and then another. At that point I was like, ‘Okay, maybe there’s a chance.’ I didn’t want to give up in the fourth or fifth set. I wanted to finish the game.”

AN EXTRAORDINARY GRAND SLAM RUN ENDS

The defeat ended Djokovic’s remarkable Grand Slam opening-round record. He has won 78 consecutive first-round matches at majors, with his previous defeat at that stage coming against Paul Goldstein at the 2006 Australian Open.

It also ended his last attempt to win a record 25th Grand Slam title. Djokovic has reached the Australian Open final and Wimbledon semi-finals this year, but enters New York with limited preparation after losing his only match in Cincinnati to Thiago Agustin Tirante.

The Serb’s disappointment was clear after the defeat as he broke down in tears on court. He later praised Navone and acknowledged the support of the New York crowd, but admitted that the physical experience was extremely difficult.

“I don’t want to take anything away from his victory. I congratulate him. He’s a good boy and a fighter. But I didn’t have fun there,” said Djokovic.

For now, Djokovic’s next step is to understand the physical issues that have plagued him repeatedly this season. His comments in New York ensured that the question of how much longer he can continue will remain a major point of discussion.

– The end

Issued by:

Debodinna Chakraborty

Published on:

31 Aug 2026 11:21 IST