Is now the right time for Djokovic to retire after 'heart-breaking' US Open loss?

Novak Djokovic said he "despised" every moment of the five-set, near five-hour ordeal which ended his US Open hopes in the first round, so now the question is whether he calls time on his trophy-laden career.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion was knocked out in the first round of the US Open for the first time, beaten by Mariano Navone of Argentina.

Djokovic was 19-0 in the US Open first round and hadn't lost his opening match in any major since Paul Goldstein beat him at the Australian Open in 2006.

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The 39-year-old also admitted the underlying health issue he first revealed two weeks ago was "serious", although he remains intent on getting the problem fixed.

Djokovic looked physically spent, was repeatedly sick and regularly doubled over in pain. He held back tears at one point but managed a gracious smile as he congratulated world No 49 Navone on the biggest win of his career.

He has previously revealed that he plans to retire at the LA Olympics in 2028, draped in the flag of Serbia for one last time.

Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli said: "It was so sad to watch. To see him suffer that much was heart-breaking.

"The way he was physically suffering is worrying. His health should come first, so he needs to have proper medical checks to see what happens."

A tough watch

Former British No 1 Tim Henman admitted defeat for Djokovic "was a tough watch" but does not think he should retire.

"Djokovic wasn't feeling well out on court. He gave it his absolute all to find a way through the match. When he was up two sets to one with a break in the fourth, you thought he could," said the former US Open semi-finalist.

"But he was vomiting on the court and didn't have the energy. Navone kept on fighting and, with youth on his side, he ran away with the fourth and fifth set."

On the idea of retirement, Henman said: "Absolutely not. It's his decision, it's his prerogative. He's No 5 in the world. If every person who was fifth best in the world at their occupation retired, there wouldn't be many people working. It's purely his decision. He should play for as long as he likes and I definitely don't think he should be stopping right now."

Asked whether an ailing Djokovic has what it takes physically anymore, Henman replied: "His mentality and will to win is still good enough [to win titles] but when you see the physical challenges of being 39 and what his body is going through and trying to find solutions - it's tough.

"When you hear him saying he 'despised being out there', that's awful.

"I'm sure he will go away and assess things because that's not the way we want to see Djokovic depart any tournament."

'I still think he's a great player'

Ryan Harrison admits it's tough for Djokovic, who has been battling with his body after a nightmare stretch which also saw him lose in the first round of the Cincinnati Open earlier this month.

"It's frustrating whenever you're battling your body a little bit, but not enjoying the moment that you're in specifically because it's difficult is quite different from not enjoying the entirety of the sport," said Harrison.

"He'll want to get back in action in 2027. I still think he's a great player and he's still at the top of the game."

The US Open is live on Sky Sports from August 30. Stream tennis with no contract on NOW and the Sky Sports App. You can also watch the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from 25-27 September live on Sky Sports.