All about Novak Djokovic's health after tearful US Open 1st round exit: "It's something…”

The tennis world was shocked when Novak Djokovic endured his earliest Grand Slam exit in more than 20 years and his first-ever US Open opener. The Serbian fell in five sets to unseeded Argentine Mariano Navone in the opening round of the 2026 US Open. 

The 39-year-old Serb, chasing a record 25th major title, lost 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a gruelling contest lasting four hours and 36 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The 24-time Grand Slam winner was seen crying with a tearful exit from the New York major. He was also reported to have vomited in the third set. 

All about Djokovic's health after tearful US Open 1st round exit

It was Djokovic’s first first-round Grand Slam defeat since the 2006 Australian Open and ended a remarkable streak of 78 consecutive opening-round victories at majors. Djokovic struggled physically throughout, vomiting during the match and battling cramps, back pain and shoulder issues. 

In his post-match comments, he said the problems had affected him “pretty much every match this year,” adding that his body began to collapse with cramping and pain, and that his back and shoulder ultimately gave out. Djokovic has not revealed any official illness so far; however, he did hint about the health struggles. 

Djokovic also struggled during the Cincinnati Open event. The tennis great was seen struggling to court-side vomiting, as per reports. He was captured falling before he went on to sit on a bench, taking off his T-shirt as he put an ice pack on before the doctor arrived.  

After the match, the Serb superstar revealed that he has been dealing with “a health issue” for “many years now,” per Forbes. He added that he suffers a lot because of it “especially when there’s a lot of humidity and heat.” 

Djokovic told the reporters: