Novak Djokovic Just Crashed Out Of The US Open In The FIRST ROUND — And The Photos Of Him In Tears Are Breaking Our Hearts 😭

Stop everything — because one of the most heartbreaking moments in tennis history just unfolded at the US Open, and we are NOT okay.

Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion and absolute LEGEND of the sport, just lost in the first round of the US Open to Argentina's Mariano Navone. The first round! And the way it happened? Absolutely devastating.

According to BBC Sport, the 39-year-old broke down in tears during the deciding set of a brutal four-hour-and-36-minute marathon where he vomited into a towel bin, struggled to move, and basically watched his body give up on him in real time.

The final score? 7-6 (7-5) 5-7 4-6 6-2 6-1. It was the first time Djokovic had EVER lost in the first round at Flushing Meadows, and the first time he'd crashed out this early at ANY Grand Slam since 2006. Twenty years, you guys.

The Tea ☕

• Djokovic went down in five sets to world No. 49 Mariano Navone in the longest first-round match of his entire Grand Slam career
• He vomited multiple times during the match and revealed he's been dealing with a "serious issue" all year that causes him to throw up and cramp in humid conditions
• This ended his bid for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title — and he'll drop out of the top 10 for the first time in EIGHT YEARS

"My Whole Body Started To Collapse"

Here's where it gets really hard to watch. Sky Sports reports that Djokovic was visibly struggling from early in the match, his face red and hair drenched in sweat midway through the first set.

He threw up by the courtside towel box. Multiple times. Even after lobbying to have the roof closed and the air conditioning switched on.

"It's something that I've been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year," Djokovic said after the match, his voice breaking. "Vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there. Then my whole body started to collapse, basically cramping and pain."

The worst part? He was holding back tears in the fifth set as it became clear his body just couldn't do it anymore. After showing grace while congratulating 25-year-old Navone, Djokovic couldn't keep it together — he was close to tears again as he trudged back to the locker room.

And Then It Got Worse

The match itself was a rollercoaster of hope and heartbreak. Djokovic started strong, breaking Navone's serve right away and jumping to a 4-1 lead in the first set. Then the physical problems kicked in.

He lost the first set in a tie-break. The crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium fell into an "eerie hush" as they watched one of the greatest athletes of all time struggling to even stand upright between points, according to BBC Sport.

But this is Djokovic we're talking about — the ultimate fighter. He battled back to win the second and third sets, moving within one set of victory despite throwing up again and again.

Then, midway through the fourth set, he fired a shot wide, landed awkwardly, and dropped his racket. That was basically it. He could barely move as Navone roared back to win the fourth set, then absolutely dominated the fifth 6-1.

Djokovic ended the match with 70 unforced errors and this absolutely gutting quote: "I pretty much despised every moment that I spent on the court for that."

Is This The End?

The question everyone's asking now: was this Djokovic's final match at the US Open? At ANY Grand Slam?

In a documentary released earlier this month, Djokovic insisted he hasn't put an "expiry date" on his career. "Why would I talk about retirement when I still keep proving to myself that I can still win?" he said.

But after this performance — and a similarly brutal early exit in Cincinnati two weeks ago where he also collapsed and vomited — the alarm bells are LOUD.

When asked if the health issue can be fixed, Djokovic's response was heartbreaking: "I don't know. I'm trying, man. I'm trying. Let's see."

For context: this is the first time since 2003 that we haven't seen Djokovic, Roger Federer, OR Rafael Nadal in the second round of a Grand Slam. Twenty-three years. The greatest era of men's tennis is officially fading, and we're not ready.

Meanwhile, Navone Is Living His Best Life

Credit where it's due: 25-year-old Mariano Navone just scored the biggest win of his career and he was EMOTIONAL about it.

"It was very tough for me because you are playing with the 'GOAT' on this court," Navone said, revealing he idolised Djokovic growing up. "For sure it's the best thing I've had on court... I'm very happy. I don't know. What can I say?"

Sky Sports notes this was Navone's first Top 10 win at a Grand Slam, and he's now the first player EVER to beat Djokovic in the first round at the US Open.

That's a stat he'll tell his grandkids about — even if the circumstances were, let's be honest, pretty tough to celebrate.

The Bottom Line

Whether this is truly the end of Djokovic's Grand Slam career or just another bump in the road for the ultimate comeback king remains to be seen. But watching one of the greatest athletes of all time break down in tears on court? That hit different.

His wife Jelena and their kids were watching from the stands. The match ended just before midnight in New York. And now Djokovic faces the longest off-season of his life trying to figure out if his body can do this anymore.

We're not crying. YOU'RE crying. 😭

Do you think Djokovic will retire, or will he come back for one more shot at Grand Slam glory? Sound off in the comments below.

---

Sources:

• BBC Sport: Djokovic in tears during US Open first-round exit
• Sky Sports: Novak Djokovic loses to Mariano Navone in longest first round match of his career in Grand Slams