Djokovic suffers first-round US Open defeat amid illness and cramps
Novak Djokovic lost to Mariano Navone in five sets at the US Open, marking his earliest grand slam exit since 2006. The 39-year-old vomited multiple times and struggled with cramps throughout the four-hour-36-minute match, breaking down in tears at the end. This was only the third first-round loss of his career.
Djokovic's defeat marked his earliest exit from a major since the 2006 Australian Open, when he was 18, and only the third first-round loss of his entire career. The match stretched four hours and 36 minutes, with the Serbian veteran vomiting repeatedly and battling cramps from early in the opening set. He had experienced similar physical distress weeks earlier at the Cincinnati Open, where he lost to Thiago Agustín Tirante in humid evening conditions. Djokovic attributed his struggles to a health condition aggravated by heat and humidity, noting his body "collapses" once the vomiting begins, with his back and shoulder eventually giving out. Navone, primarily a clay-court specialist who had nearly dropped out of the top 100 last year, capitalized on Djokovic's deterioration after the third set.
This match highlights how extreme heat and humidity can affect even elite athletes, potentially reshaping tournament scheduling discussions and player health protocols. Fans and younger players may see that physical resilience under climate stress is becoming a decisive factor in competition outcomes. As global temperatures rise, such incidents could become more frequent, influencing how organizers plan evening sessions and whether additional cooling measures or heat rules are implemented. The episode may also prompt broader public conversation about climate change's tangible effects on everyday activities, including professional sports.