{"id":1178492,"date":"2026-08-31T05:44:29","date_gmt":"2026-08-31T05:44:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1178492\/"},"modified":"2026-08-31T05:44:29","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T05:44:29","slug":"novak-djokovic-says-he-despised-every-moment-of-five-set-us-open-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1178492\/","title":{"rendered":"Novak Djokovic says he \u2018despised\u2019 every moment of five-set US Open loss"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 39-year-old also admitted the underlying health issue he first revealed two weeks ago was \u201cserious\u201d, although he remains intent on getting the problem fixed.<\/p>\n

Djokovic looked physically spent, was repeatedly sick and regularly doubled over in pain, but still took Argentina\u2019s Mariano Navone the distance.<\/p>\n

However, the 24-time grand slam champion could not prevent a 7-6 (5) 5-7 4-6 6-2 6-1 defeat and first exit in the opening round of a major since Paul Goldstein beat him at the Australian Open in 2006.<\/p>\n

\"USThe 39-year-old was frequently doubled over in pain (Frank Franklin II\/AP)<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me,\u201d said Djokovic.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s something that I\u2019ve been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year. You know, vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen my whole body, you know, starts to collapse, basically cramping and pain. Yeah, the back just gave up in the end and shoulder, and I couldn\u2019t close it out?<\/p>\n

\u201cCan the issue be fixed? I don\u2019t know. I\u2019m trying, man. I\u2019m trying. Let\u2019s see.\u201d<\/p>\n

Djokovic, holding back tears at one point in the fifth set, managed a gracious smile as he congratulated world number 49 Navone on the biggest win of his career.<\/p>\n

\"USNovak Djokovic waves goodbye after his first-round exit (Frank Franklin II\/AP)<\/p>\n

\u201cI was a break up in the fourth, but just struggled all the way since the fourth game of the match,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to take too much out of his win. Congrats to him. He\u2019s a nice guy, a fighter. But, you know, I didn\u2019t enjoy myself.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen it comes to match itself and the overall feeling of how I felt with my body and playing, it was really not enjoyable. I pretty much despised every moment that I spent on the court for that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Djokovic\u2019s cheeks were already red and his hair drenched in sweat midway through the first set, which he had led 3-0 but lost in a tie-break.<\/p>\n

\n

\u00danicamente respeto y admiraci\u00f3n para Novak \ud83e\udef6 pic.twitter.com\/OBhMxSSZds<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 31, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Having already successfully lobbied to have the roof closed, and with it the air conditioning switched on, Djokovic hit back late in the second set \u2013 after throwing up by the courtside towel box \u2013 with the crucial break for 6-5.<\/p>\n

He was sick again midway through the third but still took his one chance to break serve, and vomited again at the start of the fourth before breaking once more for 2-1.<\/p>\n

However, the 24-time grand slam champion appeared to be cramping up and could barely move as Navone struck back, before winning just one more game in a dramatic defeat over four hours and 36 gruelling minutes.<\/p>\n