Novak Djokovic's campaign at the U.S. Open concluded with a surprising early exit, overshadowed by a "serious issue" that repeatedly caused him to vomit on court and led to physical collapse. The 24-time Grand Slam champion battled the undisclosed ailment throughout his fourth-round match against Argentine Mariano Navone, ultimately losing in a grueling five-set contest.
Djokovic described the recurring problem as a "serious issue" that has plagued him throughout the year, leading to vomiting, cramping, and pain in his back and shoulder. "It was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me," Djokovic stated after the match. "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."
The 39-year-old received medical attention during the match, including on-court treatment for his lower back and the consumption of pills. He appeared to be in distress for much of the nearly five-hour encounter, grimacing after shots and struggling physically. "Just struggled all the way since the fourth game of the match," Djokovic said. "When it comes to match itself and overall feeling of how I felt with body and playing, it was really not enjoyable. I pretty much despised every moment that I spent on the court for that."
This health concern is not entirely new for Djokovic. He experienced a similar episode during a loss at the Cincinnati Open earlier in the month, where he also reportedly collapsed on court. The exact nature of the condition remains unclear, leaving Djokovic searching for answers. "I don’t know. I’m trying, man. I’m trying," he said when asked about his future. "I’m just trying to address really what’s going on and how far I can go this way."
The physical challenges come as a new generation of players, including Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, increasingly assert their dominance in men's tennis. While Djokovic has historically outlasted rivals like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, this persistent health issue raises questions about how much longer he can compete at the highest level. The next steps in addressing his condition and its impact on his career are yet to be determined.