Novak Djokovic Stunned In 1st Round At U.S. Open After Battling Stomach Trouble

Novak Djokovic looked distressed from the beginning of his first-round match with Mariano Navone at the U.S. Open.

The normally passionate Serb did not engage the crowd for much of the match and threw up multiple times on court while battling stomach discomfort. During Sunday’s match, he also used an inhaler and took tablets after saying following his first-round loss in Cincinnati he’s been “dealing with [a health issue] for many years now.”

In the end, the 24-time major champion and No. 4 seed lost 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 own a single ATP Tour-level title and is ranked No. 49 in the world. The loss came with the roof in Arthur Ashe Stadium closed due to rain.

The 39-year-old Djokovic hadn’t lost in the first round of a major since early in his career, in 2006. His wife Jelena and children Stefan and Tara were on hand to witness this historic loss.

The defeat came 21 years to the day that he made his U.S. Open debut against Gael Monfils on Aug. 30, 2005.

He waived to the crowd, gave the heart signal and signed autographs before losing the court.

“I think it actually turns out better for him because it shows he’s human,” John McEnroe said on ESPN. “It gives you an even greater sense of how amazing his accomplishments were.”

The last time that none of “The Big 3” of Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were in the second week of a major was 2003 Roland Garros, per ESPN.

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

“This is [an] amazing court on the biggest stage,” he said on court. “It’s amazing the way we played, I mean five sets against the GOAT is nothing to every day. I’m very happy, what can I say.”

He added: “Novak means a lot for me..It was very tough for me because you’re playing with the GOAT on this court here and he is here every day in this court when he plays the U.S. Open. This means a lot, it’s a dream come true. It’s certainly 100%. Now I have to recover, I think it’s almost 12 o’clock, we have to go to sleep.”

NEW YORK NEW YORK – AUGUST 30: Mariano Navone of Argentina returns against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during their Men’s Singles First Round match on Day One of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 30, 2026 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

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Djokovic is a 10-time U.S. Open finalist, having lost six of the 10. His last major victory came in New York in 2023, but he’s still bidding for a record 25th major title three years later.

In the decisive fifth set, Djokovic fell behind 0-40 while serving at 0-1. Navone eventually broke for 2-0 when the Serb couldn’t get to a passing shot after approaching the net.

After holding for 1-3, the crowd roared for Djokovic, who appeared to be on the brink of tears while managing his physical and emotional condition.

NEW YORK NEW YORK – AUGUST 30: Novak Djokovic of Serbia looks on against Mariano Navone of Argentina during their Men’s Singles First Round match on Day One of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 30, 2026 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

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After leading 4-2 in the first set, Djokovic ultimately lost it in a tiebreak.

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

“And now al of a sudden, he’s starting to look like Novak Djokovic,” John McEnroe said on air.

McEnroe pointed out that Djokovic was not using the crowd to his advantage.

“Almost no recognition of the crowd so far, except when he walked out,” he said.

In the third set, Djokovic was shown throwing up in the towel bin, triggering “Boot and rally” jokes from James Blake and the ESPN crew.

Still, he didn’t face a break point on his serve all set and broke for 5-4 when Navone netted a forehand on break point. At that point, Djokovic finally put his hand to his ear to fire up the crowd.

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

Djokovic was shown throwing up yet again early in the fourth set.

Midway through the fourth, Djokovic looked in more discomfort as he faced possible cramping. He repeatedly tried to stretch out his legs and back on court.

“This is not much fun for him tonight at all,” Chris Fowler said on ESPN.

Navone broke Djokovic for 4-2 in the fourth when the Serb sailed a forehand wide.

It’s unclear what’s ahead for Djokovic, who beat world No. 1 Jannik Sinner to reach the Australian Open final earlier this year and made the semis of all four majors last year.