Vomiting Novak Djokovic reduced to tears as writing could be on the wall following 20-year Grand Slam first

Novak Djokovic’s body completely broke down as the tennis legend crashed out of the US Open in the first round.

Djokovic battled with vomiting, cramps and severe pain in a four-and-a-half hour marathon against Argentina’s Mariano Navone.

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The 24-time Grand Slam champion lost the match 7-6 (7-5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 against the world No. 49 – the first time in his career he has been beaten in the first round in New York.

It is also the first time in 20 years that he has suffered a first round major exit.

Back in 2006 at the Australian Open, he had no major titles to his name and have never even gone beyond the third round of a Grand Slam when he suffered a first round defeat to American Paul Goldstein in Melbourne.

Fast forward two decades and Djokovic battled in the 77-degree (25 degrees celsius) heat and humid conditions, repeatedly resting his hands on his knees.

He also threw up multiple times in the third set alone.

Rallied by the crowd on Arthur Ashe and towards the end of the match, Djokovic stood with tears in his eyes before opening up on his visible pain post-match.

“It was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me,” Djokovic said.

“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. Yeah, the back just gave up in the end and shoulder, and I couldn’t close it out.

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The Serbian’s health has become a growing concern over the past year and questions now rise again as to whether he is able to put himself through another rigorous offseason.

A lighter schedule has seen him focus on the majors with just three appearances in the Masters events.

He reached all four major semifinals last year as he chases Margaret Court’s record of 25 Grand Slam singles titles.

At the start of the year, the signs looked good as he made the Australian Open final before a third round exit at the French Open.

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A run to the semifinal followed at Wimbledon before making unwanted history at Flushing Meadows on Day 1 of the final major of the year.

Djokovic vomited at the Cincinnati Open earlier in August, and was also sick during the Shanghai Masters in October 2025.

“I don’t know, at the moment, I don’t want to go into too much detail,” Djokovic said when asked about how he plas to fix his current on-court physical issues.

“I’m just trying to understand what’s going on and how much longer I can keep going like this.”

The cryptic answer immediately set off retirement alarm bells, prompting fans to call for the tennis icon to hang up his racquet before things get worse.

“Leave the arena elegantly not forcibly. He has already achieved more than anyone can dream of,” one fan commented.

“The time has come Novak, call an end to your legendary career before it becomes ugly,” a second added.

“That’s two tournaments in a row with the exact same physical result, I have a feeling today was his last game,” a third said.

Djokovic waved and made a heart symbol while leaving the Arthur Ashe Stadium. Whether it’s for the last time remains to be seen.