Novak Djokovic Posts 4-Word Message After Falling Severely Ill During US Open Upset

Natasha DyeMon, August 31, 2026 at 6:23 PM UTC

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Novak Djokovic at the US Open on Sunday, Aug. 30Credit: Mike Lawrence/USTA via Getty -

Novak Djokovic shared a four-word message on Instagram after his shocking first-round loss in the 2026 US Open

Djokovic said he is “forever grateful” in the post

The Serbian tennis star was defeated by 25-year-old Mariano Navone in a match that lasted longer than 4 hours on Sunday, Aug. 30

Novak Djokovic has a short and sweet message after his shocking first-round loss at the US Open.

Hours after the 39-year-old tennis champ broke down in tears after losing to Mariano Navone in the very early morning of Monday, Aug 31, Djokovic shared a message on Instagram.

“Forever grateful, New York 🗽,” he wrote in his caption alongside a photo of himself at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Olympian Lindsey Vonn showed her support for Djokovic in the comments, writing, “Great heart Nole 💪🏻 never give up!” Indian actress Tisca Chopra also chimed in to say, “An inspiration like no other 🙏🏼♥️.”

Novak Djokovic at the 2026 US OpenCredit: Mike Lawrence/USTA via Getty

Djokovic and Navone, 25, played 4 hours and 36 minutes on Sunday night in a match that ended just one minute before midnight in New York. The loss marks the first time the Serbian star has been eliminated from the US Open in the first round and the earliest exit in a Grand Slam for him since 2006.

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After the match, he told a small group of reporters, “I didn’t enjoy myself,” according to ESPN. “I think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me.”

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At various points in the match, Djokovic was seen vomiting and wincing in pain. During the final set, he broke down into tears. “It’s something that I’ve been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year: vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there,” he told reporters.

Novak Djokovic at the US Open on Aug. 30, 2026Credit: Mike Stobe/Getty

“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 said he “just struggled all the way since the fourth game of the match,” and added, “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.”

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Source: “AOL Sports”