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Novak Djokovic exits early from US Open due to health issues

Tennis professional Novak Djokovic unexpectedly lost to Mariano Navone in the first round of the US Open, struggling with health problems throughout the match.

31 August 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Novak Djokovic exits early from US Open due to health issues — Photo: Me (Alexisrael) · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

Novak Djokovic lost his opening match at the US Open 2023 in his first appearance at the tournament. The 39-year-old Serbian, who entered as the defending champion, battled significant health issues that severely affected his performance throughout the match.

In the dramatic encounter, Djokovic faced the Argentine outsider Mariano Navone. The match, which took place on Sunday, ended with a scoreline of 6-7 (5-7), 7-5, 6-4, 2-6, 1-6 after a duration of 4 hours and 36 minutes.

Multiple reports confirm that Djokovic suffered from physical discomfort between sets and had to vomit on the court several times. Despite his fighting spirit, he was unable to regain momentum during the match.

The defeat marks a first in Djokovic's career, as he exits the US Open in the first round for the first time. Previously, he had made a total of 20 appearances in this tournament without ever bowing out so early.

According to various sources, Djokovic appeared emotionally affected towards the end of the match, standing on the court with tears in his eyes at times. His health difficulties prevented him from displaying his usual level of play.

The loss raises questions about his current health condition. Reports indicate that he struggled physically for much of the match, which impacted his performance.

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