Djokovic exits US Open in first round, cites vomiting and body collapse
Synopsis
Novak Djokovic's US Open campaign ended before it began — a first-round exit to Mariano Navone, with the 24-time Grand Slam champion admitting his body 'collapsed' through vomiting, cramping, and back and shoulder failure. It is only his second first-round loss at a major since 2005, and it raises urgent questions about whether his persistent physical problems are manageable or something more serious.
Key Takeaways
Novak Djokovic lost in the first round of the US Open to Argentina's Mariano Navone on Monday .
Djokovic cited vomiting, cramping, and back and shoulder pain as factors that severely hampered his play throughout the match.
He had not lost in the opening round of a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open — his only other such defeat came at the 2005 Australian Open .
The 39-year-old led two sets to one and held a break advantage in the fourth set before his condition worsened.
Djokovic said he considered retiring mid-match but pushed on after winning the third set.
The New York crowd's support in the deciding set visibly moved Djokovic, who thanked them after the match.
Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, was knocked out in the first round of the US Open on Monday by Argentina's Mariano Navone, with the Serbian admitting it was 'an awful feeling on the court' as persistent physical problems — including vomiting, cramping, and acute pain — eroded his ability to compete. The defeat at Flushing Meadows, New York ended a remarkable streak: Djokovic had not lost in the opening round of a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open.
What Djokovic Said After the Match
'I think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me. It's something that I've been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year. Vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there. Then my whole body starts to collapse, basically cramping and pain,' Djokovic said after the defeat, according to the ATP.
'Yeah, the back just gave up in the end and shoulder, and I couldn't close it out,' he added. The 39-year-old also revealed he had considered retiring mid-match but chose to push through after winning the third set and finding himself a break up in the fourth.
How the Match Unfolded
Djokovic had built a commanding position — leading two sets to one and holding a break advantage in the fourth set — before his physical condition deteriorated sharply. He ultimately lost the match, with Navone completing the upset in five sets. 'I was a break up in the fourth, but just struggled all the way since the fourth game of the match,' Djokovic acknowledged, while crediting his opponent: 'I don't want to take too much out of his win. Congrats to him. He's a nice guy, a fighter.'
A Historic Low in Grand Slam Record
The loss carries significant statistical weight. The four-time US Open champion's only other first-round defeat at a major came at the 2005 Australian Open, making this just his second such exit in a Grand Slam career spanning more than two decades. Djokovic was measured about the milestone: 'It's a good record, another one. But I'm not really thinking about it. Now is now — fresh off the court and still trying to manage my body.'
Crowd Support at Arthur Ashe
Trailing 1-3 in the deciding set, Djokovic received a sustained ovation from the New York crowd that visibly moved him. 'They were super nice. So grateful to experience this,' he said. 'The love and appreciation they gave me in the end really touched my heart.' He apologised to the crowd for not delivering the performance they had hoped for, describing the playing experience itself as one he 'pretty much despised every moment' of, while separating that from the warmth of the audience.
What Comes Next
With physical issues reportedly persisting across multiple matches this season, questions now surround Djokovic's immediate schedule and fitness management heading into the remainder of the 2025 season. His camp has not yet commented on the nature or diagnosis of the recurring condition.
Point of View
Not a one-off. The fact that he was two sets to one up and a break ahead in the fourth makes this even more alarming: the body simply shut down when the pressure was highest. The bigger question mainstream coverage is skipping is whether this signals the beginning of the end of his competitive Grand Slam run — or whether a diagnosis and proper recovery could still extend it.
NationPress
31 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Novak Djokovic lose in the first round of the US Open 2025?
Djokovic lost to Argentina's Mariano Navone in the first round of the US Open, citing persistent physical problems including vomiting, cramping, and back and shoulder pain that severely limited his ability to compete. He admitted his 'whole body started to collapse' as the match progressed.
When was Djokovic's last first-round Grand Slam defeat before this?
Djokovic's last first-round Grand Slam loss before the 2025 US Open was at the 2006 Australian Open. His only other first-round defeat at a major came at the 2005 Australian Open, making this just his second such exit in over two decades.
Did Djokovic consider retiring during the US Open match?
Yes, Djokovic admitted he had considered retiring mid-match due to his physical condition. However, after winning the third set and finding himself a break ahead in the fourth, he decided to continue, saying he did not want to give up.
Who is Mariano Navone, the player who beat Djokovic?
Mariano Navone is an Argentine tennis player who caused one of the biggest upsets of the US Open 2025 by defeating 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in the first round. Djokovic himself described Navone as 'a nice guy, a fighter' while crediting him for the win.
What did the New York crowd do during Djokovic's match?
The New York crowd gave Djokovic strong vocal support, particularly when he was trailing 1-3 in the deciding set. Djokovic said the crowd's encouragement 'really touched my heart' and that he was 'very sorry' he could not perform at the level they deserved.
