Visibly ill Novak Djokovic stunningly upset in marathon first-round match at US Open

Novak Djokovic’s time at the U.S. Open was stunningly short lived.

The 24-time Grand Slam singles champion was upset in the first round, 6-7, 7-5, 6-4, 2-6, 1-6 by the 25-year-old Mariano Navone at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday night.

Djokovic played the over four-hour match visibly ill. He was showing on the broadcast vomiting on the court during the third set and took a medical timeout to work on his back after the fourth.

Novak Djokovic reacts on the court as he plays against Mariano Navone in the first round of the 2026 US Open Tennis Championship on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026, at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

He appeared to refind his form and energy after dropping the opening frame, winning the next two. But he easily lost the fourth and was in visible pain and out of gas playing the final frame.

Navone, currently ranked No. 49 in the world took full advanced against the No. 4 seed, who lost to Carlos Alcaraz in last year’s semifinals.