Novak Djokovic confessed that he "despised" every minute of the grueling five‑set, almost five‑hour marathon that ended his campaign at the US Open in the first round. The painful loss has sparked a fresh debate about whether the Serbian legend should hang up his racket and bring his illustrious, trophy‑laden career to a close.
The 24‑time Grand Slam champion suffered a shock defeat to Argentina's Mariano Navone, marking the first time Djokovic has been eliminated in the opening round of the US Open. Until this match, he boasted a perfect 19‑0 record in first‑round US Open matches and had not lost his opening match at any major since Paul Goldstein knocked him out at the Australian Open in 2006. In addition to the on‑court disappointment, the 39‑year‑old revealed that the underlying health issue he disclosed two weeks ago is "serious," although he remains determined to address the problem. Throughout the match Djokovic appeared physically depleted, battling nausea, recurring bouts of sickness, and frequent bouts of pain that forced him to double over repeatedly.
At one point he fought back tears, but he managed a gracious smile as he congratulated world No. 49 Navone on what was undoubtedly the biggest victory of the Argentine's career.
Djokovic has previously hinted that his ultimate farewell could come at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, when he would once again march under the Serbian flag for a final appearance. The notion of an early retirement, however, has drawn mixed reactions from former players and commentators.
Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli described the spectacle as "so sad to watch" and called it "heart‑breaking" to see the multiple‑time champion suffer to such an extent. She emphasized that his physical condition should be the top priority and that he needs comprehensive medical examinations before deciding his future. British former No.
1 Tim Henman, who also faced Djokovic in a US Open semi‑final, admitted that watching the Serbian star struggle was "a tough watch," but he stopped short of urging retirement. Henman noted, "Djokovic wasn't feeling well 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," but added that vomiting and a lack of energy ultimately gave Navone the edge, especially as the younger opponent's stamina carried him through the final two sets.
Henman was clear that retirement is a personal decision: "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." He also highlighted the physical challenges of being 39, saying, "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, 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." American player Ryan Harrison echoed the sentiment that Djokovic is battling his body after a difficult stretch that also saw him fall in the first round of the Cincinnati Open earlier in the month. Harrison remarked, "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.
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 broader tennis community is watching closely. While some argue that an athlete of Djokovic's stature should consider stepping aside to preserve his health, others contend that his competitive spirit and record still justify a continued presence on the tour.
The Serbian has hinted that he will take time to evaluate his condition, undergo further medical testing, and decide whether to target the 2028 Olympics as a final showcase or to keep competing in the interim years. Regardless of the outcome, Djokovic's recent US Open experience serves as a stark reminder of the physical toll that elite tennis exacts, especially on a player approaching the fourth decade of his career. Fans, fellow players, and analysts will undoubtedly continue the conversation as more information emerges about his health and his plans for the future. The US Open coverage continues on Sky Sports, with live streams available on NOW and the Sky Sports app, while highlights and match replays can be accessed through various platforms for those who missed the live action.