“I pretty much despised every moment that I spent on the court.”
Novak Djokovic has opened up on the serious physical issue that has plagued him throughout the year after his historic US Open exit, admitting he does not know whether he can fix the problem as fresh questions emerge over the 39-year-old’s future.
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Djokovic’s pursuit of a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title came to a stunning end against Mariano Navone, with the Argentine prevailing 7-6 (7-5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a brutal four-hour and 36-minute first-round battle.
But it was Djokovic’s comments after the defeat that provided perhaps the biggest concern.
“I didn’t enjoy myself,” Djokovic said.
“I think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me.”
The 24-time Grand Slam champion vomited during the match and later appeared to struggle with cramp, while taking medication and receiving treatment on his lower back before the deciding fifth set.
Djokovic revealed afterwards that the issue was far from isolated to his night at Flushing Meadows.
“It’s something that I’ve been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year: vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there,” he said.
“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.”
Djokovic was equally candid when reflecting on just how difficult the experience had become.
“When it comes to the match itself and overall feeling of how I felt with body and playing, it was really not enjoyable,” he said.
“I pretty much despised every moment that I spent on the court for that.”
Djokovic stunned at US Open | 00:35
And when asked whether he could fix the physical problem that has followed him throughout the year, Djokovic offered a worrying response.
“I don’t know, man. I’m trying. I’m trying. Let’s see.”
It leaves one of the biggest questions in tennis hanging over Djokovic as he approaches the latter stages of a remarkable career.
The Serbian was attempting to defy history at 39 and become the first player to claim 25 Grand Slam singles titles, but his latest defeat represented another significant milestone of a very different kind.
Djokovic had not lost in the opening round of a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open, ending a remarkable streak of 78 consecutive first-round victories at majors, the longest such run in the Open Era.
He had also entered Monday’s match with a perfect 19-0 record in US Open first-round matches.
Djokovic himself acknowledged after the defeat that he was attempting to understand what was happening physically and how much longer he could continue in his current state.
He said he was “trying to address really what’s going on and how far I can go this way.”
Djokovic stunned at US Open | 00:35
The comments will inevitably fuel questions over whether Djokovic is approaching the end of his extraordinary Grand Slam career.
He has continued to compete deep into majors despite entering his late 30s, but there have been increasingly visible signs of the physical toll required to remain alongside the sport’s best.
His US Open disappointment also extended a difficult recent stretch.
Djokovic lost his opening match at the Cincinnati Masters earlier this month in his first appearance since falling to world No.1 Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon semi-finals.
He had hoped the early Cincinnati exit would provide additional preparation time for New York, but instead suffered his earliest Grand Slam defeat in more than two decades.
There were still flashes of the Djokovic who has dominated the sport for much of his career against Navone.
After dropping the opening set, he fought back to claim the second and third and move within one set of advancing despite his physical struggles.
But his body increasingly began to betray him as the match wore on.
Navone took control by winning the fourth set 6-2 before racing away with the deciding set 6-1 to claim the biggest victory of his career.
“(It) was very tough for me because you are playing with the ‘GOAT’ on this court,” Navone said.
“For sure it’s the best thing I’ve had on court. This is an amazing court and the biggest stage.
“It’s amazing, the way we play. I mean, five sets. … I’m very happy. I don’t know. What can I say?”
For Navone, it was a career-defining victory.
For Djokovic, what comes next is considerably less certain.