Novak Djokovic has offered a brief but reassuring update on his health after his dramatic first-round exit from the US Open 2026, where the 24-time Grand Slam champion visibly struggled with his physical condition during a gruelling five-set battle.
Djokovic was spotted meeting fans in New York less than 48 hours after his loss and spoke briefly with TMZ Sports about how he was feeling. Asked about his condition following the physically demanding match, the 39-year-old Serbian replied: “Better. Bit better. A bit better.”
The short update will come as a relief to fans who watched Djokovic endure a difficult night on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The Serbian star’s US Open campaign ended with a 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 defeat to unseeded Argentine Mariano Navone in a match that lasted four hours and 36 minutes.
lol now it makes sense why Novak is playing like shit. Man is puking out there. pic.twitter.com/K0O93aJQbq
— Jeff 🔴⚫️🔴 (@JMC9787) August 31, 2026
Novak Djokovic Battled Through Severe Physical Struggles
The 24-time major champion struggled badly in the humid New York conditions and was seen vomiting courtside during the contest. He also dealt with cramping and appeared increasingly uncomfortable as the match entered its later stages.
Despite his physical struggles, Djokovic continued to fight and managed to win the third set after falling behind early in the contest. However, Navone refused to let the opportunity slip away.
The Argentine eventually took control in the fourth set before dominating the deciding set 6-1 to complete one of the biggest victories of his career.
The defeat was particularly significant for Djokovic, as it marked his first opening-round exit at a Grand Slam tournament in nearly two decades.
New York Crowd Stands Behind Djokovic
Even as Djokovic’s physical condition deteriorated, the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd remained behind the Serbian.
Fans repeatedly chanted his name and tried to lift the 24-time Grand Slam champion during the difficult moments of the match. Djokovic acknowledged that support after the contest, expressing his gratitude for the affection he received from the New York crowd.
“Always love. Always love, and gratitude for the support,” Djokovic said.
