Physical and Mental Struggles in a Historic Match

Novak Djokovic’s first-round exit from the 2025 US Open was historic, emotional, and deeply symbolic of his current challenges. After a grueling match against 48th-ranked Mariano Navone, Djokovic lost 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1. The match, which lasted 4 hours and 36 minutes, was the longest first-round Grand Slam match of Djokovic’s career. The Serbian star vomited multiple times during the match, suffered cramps, and was visibly exhausted in the final two sets.

Djokovic admitted after the match that he has been carrying physical issues all year, including vomiting and severe cramps. ‘I felt awful on the court. Sadly, I’ve carried this almost throughout all matches this year,’ he said. ‘Eventually, my back gave out, and so did my shoulder, and I couldn’t close the match.’ Navone, 25, was particularly motivated to defeat his idol and played a disciplined match to secure the win.

Changing Routines and Mixed Expert Opinions

Djokovic’s exit has led to speculation about his future in the sport. Some experts suggest he needs to adapt his schedule, given that he has played just 16 tournaments this year, the fewest among top-95 ATP players. ‘If I was talking to Novak, he’s playing the same schedule that he was playing three years ago, five years ago, when he was dominating,’ said former US Open quarter-finalist Ajla Tomljanovic. ‘I feel like he’s undercooked now. He needs to play more matches and he needs more reps.’

However, not all experts agree with this view. Tomljanovic also noted that Djokovic has shown signs of being ‘uninspired’ at times, suggesting that adding more matches might exacerbate this issue. ‘What does he get from playing Cincinnati for the 23rd time and winning it for the 23rd time?’ she asked. ‘Sometimes he goes out on these matches and I feel like he’s just a bit like not really, I don’t want to say motivated, but more uninspired.’

Looking Ahead: Can Djokovic Regain Form?

Despite the loss, Djokovic remains optimistic. After his first-round exit at the Cincinnati Open in early August, he said the break allowed him to prepare better for the US Open. ‘It gave me time to prepare for the US Open in the most appropriate way,’ he said. ‘I had almost two weeks to train and put my body and mind in the right state.’

Navone, who has shown consistent performance this season—winning his first ATP title in Bucarest in 2026—now stands at the center of a narrative shift in men’s tennis. The rise of young players like Navone is part of a broader trend, with Djokovic, 39, facing increasing competition from a new generation. This loss is reminiscent of those seen by Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in recent years, both of whom have also struggled to maintain dominance at the top level as they age.

For Djokovic, the question now is not just whether he can win another Grand Slam but also how long he will continue to compete at this elite level. ‘I’m trying to really figure out what’s happening and how far I can go if I continue like this,’ he said after the match. This loss may force a significant reassessment of his career path and approach to training and competition.