Novak Djokovic makes retirement confession after tearful first round US Open exit

Tennis great Novak Djokovic was in tears during his US Open first round exit at the hands of Mariano Navone, sparking speculation about his retirement.

Djokovic, 39, was beaten 7-6 (7-5) 5-7 4-6 6-2 6-1 by the Argentinian at Flushing Meadows. It was the earliest US Open elimination of his career and the first time he's been knocked out of a Grand Slam tournament in the first round since 2006.

The Serbian star struggled physically throughout the match on day one of the US Open and was seen in tears as he ran out of steam in the deciding fifth set.

Djokovic wiped the tears away with Navone leading 3-1 in the set and stood at the back of the court with his hands on his hips, head bowed, before losing the last three games of the match.

Speaking to the media after the loss in New York, the former world number one revealed that he's been dealing with a health condition that has affected his ability to compete.

"I think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me," said Djokovic.

"It's something that I have been carrying pretty much every match this year - vomiting, throwing up.

"And then my whole body starts to collapse basically, cramping and pain - the back just gave up in the end and shoulder, and I couldn't close it out."

Djokovic had never been knocked out in the first or second round at the US Open. His most recent third-round elimination came in 2006, the year that began with his only previous defeat in a first round match in a major.

On that occasion he was beaten in four sets at the Australian Open by American player Paul Goldstein, who never made it beyond the third round in a Grand Slam competition.

"Yes, I did consider [quitting]," admitted Djokovic. "But then I won a set and then the third. And I thought, ‘Well, maybe there’s a chance.’

"I didn’t want to give up in the fourth or fifth set, so I wanted to finish the match."

Djokovic's career achievements are beyond question. The sport's highest-ever earner has won 24 singles Grand Slams, most recently at Flushing Meadows in 2023.

That was his fourth US Open win and followed 10 at the Australian Open, three in the French Open and seven at Wimbledon.

The veteran player was keen to express his gratitude to the fans who got behind him in a humid New York, and acknowledged that the moment belonged to Navone.

"I don't want to take too much out of Mariano's win," said Djokovic. "Congrats to him, he's a nice guy and a fighter - but I didn't enjoy myself."

The 25-year-old world number 49 also reached the second round two years ago. Great Britain's Dan Evans beat him in straight sets in 2024, before Navone went on to a career-high third-round finish in the following year's French Open.

He will now face Matteo Berrettini or Stan Wawrinka in the second round.