Novak Djokovic Addresses Throwing Up & Crying During US Open Defeat

Serena Williams Officially Returning 4 Years After “Evolving Away From Tennis”Novak Djokovic had a difficult match up. The tennis legend found himself crying and throwing up during the 2026 US Open Aug. 30 after a first-round defeat to Mariano Navone in a match that lasted four hours and 36 minutes, making it the longest opening match of a Grand Slam in Djokovic's career. "I didn't enjoy myself," Djokovic told a group of reporters after the game, per ESPN. "I think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me." The loss marked the 39-year-old’s earliest exit from a competition in two decades and the first time he lost in the first round at the US Open. And throughout the match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, Djokovic appeared visibly ill. He threw up at least once and was also grabbing his left foot. Additionally, the tennis pro also took pills brought to him by a doctor during the game and had his lower back massaged several times."It's something that I've been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year: vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there," Djokovic explained to reporters. "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." Following the defeat—which came 21 years to the day of his US Open debut—Djokovic admitted he was unsure if this would be his final match, adding that he was "trying to address really what's going on and how far I can go this way."Mike Stobe/Getty Images"Just struggled all the way since the fourth game of the match," the dad of two said of his performance. "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." Djokovic’s defeat also means that he drops out of the Association of Tennis Professionals’ Top 10 for the first time since July 2018, as well as the first time since 2003 that a Slam will not feature Djokovic or fellow tennis greats Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the second round. Still, Djokovic—who shares kids Stefan, 11, and Tara, 8, with wife Jelena Djokovic—was thankful for his time at the US Open, posting a photo of himself to Instagram Aug. 31 with the caption, “Forever grateful, New York.”Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty ImagesWeeks before the match, Djokovic had been candid about his ongoing health issues after his collapse and loss at the 2026 Cincinnati Open on Aug. 15. “It’s because of a health issue I have, I’ve been dealing with it for many years now,” he explained to reporters after the match, according to Forbes. “It causes me a lot of problems, especially when there’s a lot of humidity and heat." As such, he's not sure what his future in the tournament will look like, noting, “Unfortunately, at this point, it seems more likely that I won’t be back next year. But let's see what the future holds, I hope I do." For a look at all the stars who made their way to the US Open this year, keep reading. Shea Kastriner/USTATate McRaeShe'll go song for song, the players will go back to back. The "Tit For Tat" singer goes casual while attending the first day of the US Open. Michael Simon/Getty Images for MoroccanoilAryna SabalenkaThe defending US Open champion stepped out to celebrate becoming Moroccanoil's newest Global Brand Ambassador.Jason Crowley/BFA.comOlivia Ponton & Tayshia AdamsThe tastemakers gathered for Marie Claire's "Power Play" dinner at Wild Cherry in New York.Groot HospitalitySerena Williams & Coco GauffThe winning duo joined David Grutman & DraftKings for an exclusive US Open players' dinner at Crane Club in NYC on Aug. 27.Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Waldorf Astoria New YorkTommy Paul, Leylah Fernandez, Anna Wintour, Maria Sakkari & Ben SheltonVogue's Global Editorial Director posed for pics with the players for the Waldorf Astoria Racquet Club's Ballroom Tennis Invitational at Waldorf Astoria New York.Michael Simon / Getty ImagesGayle King & Naomi OsakaThe TV personality and tennis champ faced off in a game of ping pong at the Fourth Annual Petit Slam at Baccarat Hotel New York.Kevin Liew, Aaron Barrera, Alex Enock | PluralCarlos Alcaraz, Jeff Koons & Frances TiafoeThe tennis stars and iconic artist Koons joined evian at its 200 Years Young Celebration in New York City on Aug. 27.Ryan Northrop/BFA.comTaylor Fritz, Caroline Wozniacki, Matteo Berrettini & Serena WilliamsThe tennis stars gathered as Lotte New York Palace hosted its ninth annual “Palace Invitational” pickleball tournament ahead of the US Open.Shea Kastriner/USTAAndrew East & Shawn JohnsonIt was all love-love as the sporting couple arrived at the US Open on Aug. 26.Michael Simon/Getty ImagesNaomi OsakaThe four-time Grand Slam champion hosted A Mindful Evening at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge on Aug. 26.Chase SapphireLindsey Vonn & Coco GauffThe two champs posed together at the Coco Gauff x Chase Sapphire Reserve event at Casa Tua New York.Shea Kastriner/USTADa'Vine Joy RandolphThe Oscar-winning actress got glammed up to sit courtside at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Aug. 26.Shea Kastriner/USTARemy MaThe rapper hit up the blue carpet during Fan Week as part of the 2026 US Open.Shea Kastriner/USTATinasheSporting as much white as possible before Labor Day. The "Superlove" singer attends US Open. Courtesy of USTAHomer Gere & Kaia GerberThe Shards costars looked smashing at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Aug. 25.Courtesy of USTABee Shaffer, Anna Wintour & Elizabeth Cordry ShafferThe Vogue icon served up some floral fashion alongside her daughter Bee and daughter-in-law Elizabeth at the U.S. Open on Aug. 25.Courtesy of USTAVanessa Nadal & Lin-Manuel MirandaThe Hamilton creator and his wife arrived in style to catch the action at the U.S. Open in Flushing, N.Y.Yvonne Tnt/BFA.com/ShutterstockKeegan-Michael KeyHe brakes for tennis. The comedian attended Cadillac's celebration of its five-year partnership with U.S. Open at Zero Bond in New York City.Andy MartinezIva Jovic & Jessica PegulaThe tennis phenoms hit up Carbone NYC for an intimate celebration of the athletes’ partnership with gorjana Sports Club.Michael Mooney/USTA via Getty ImagesHoda KotbThe former Today show anchor wore her tennis white to a U.S. Open fan week event on Aug. 25.Craig Barritt/Getty Images for HeinekenSerena WilliamsThe nine-time U.S. Open champion surprised fans with Heineken 0.0 at the USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center in New York City.Courtesy of USTAGayle KingThe CBS Mornings host dropped in for Fan Week as part of the 2026 US Open.Sansho Scott/BFA.com/ShutterstockMary Holland NaderLove thy tennis. The Love Thy Nader star celebrated the start of the U.S. Open tournament at LALO Tequila’s First Serve party in New York City.Shea Kastriner/USTA via Getty ImagesRoger FedererThe retired tennis player returned to the U.S. Open for an exhibition match on Aug. 25.Theo Wargo/Getty ImagesSavannah GuthrieThe Today co-host stepped out in a Dolce & Gabbana dress to catch the Federer game.Courtesy of St. Regis Hotels & ResortsAryna SabalenkaAced it. The two-time U.S. Open winner served up a good time at the St. Regis New York.Courtesy of Dobel TequilaTaylor FritzThe tennis superstar toasted to the start of the U.S. Open with a Dobel Tequila cocktail at Padel Haus in Brooklyn, N.Y. For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App