Djokovic Explains Dismal US Open Performance

Retold by Oddsrama · 31 August 2026

Novak Djokovic has opened up about what went wrong at the US Open, where he crashed out in the first round to Argentina's Mariano Navone. The 39-year-old Serbian legend revealed that his body simply gave up during the grueling four-and-a-half-hour match, with a combination of violent vomiting, severe cramping, and pain in his back and shoulders ultimately forcing him out of contention. It was a shocking exit for a player who had won his first-round matches at every Grand Slam for nearly two decades.

The physical breakdown wasn't a one-off disaster—Djokovic explained that he's been battling these same symptoms throughout the entire season. Vomiting and nausea have plagued him repeatedly on court, and when combined with an underlying health condition that worsens in heat and humidity, the impact becomes severe. As the match stretched on, his whole body began to shut down, cramping intensified, and his shoulders simply couldn't hold up. By the final sets, he was barely mobile. Navone's 7–6, 5–7, 4–6, 6–2, 6–1 victory snapped Djokovic's extraordinary streak of 78 consecutive Grand Slam first-round wins, a run dating back to 2006.

For bettors watching the race for Grand Slam dominance, this is a significant moment. Djokovic's lingering fitness issues and his current ranking (48th) suggest the window for his record 25th major title is closing fast. While he showed fight by winning a set and pushing back in parts of the match, the physical toll appears to be catching up with him. At this stage of his career, recurring health problems that span an entire season raise serious questions about his ability to string together the performances needed to compete at the highest level in the majors.

Based on original reporting by Complete Sports. Read the original at completesports.com →

#Novak Djokovic#US Open#Tennis

Djokovic Explains Dismal US Open Performance

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