US OPEN

August 31, 2026

Novak Djokovic

Press Conference

M. NAVONE/N. Djokovic

7-6, 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1

Q. Just tell us what happened out there, how are you feeling, and how the match went.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me. It's something that I've been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year. You know, vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there. Then my whole body, you know, 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, you know?

I was a break up in the fourth, but just struggled all the way since the fourth game of the match. Again, I don't want to take too much out of his win. Congrats to him. He's a nice guy, a fighter. But, you know, I didn't enjoy myself.

Q. Is this issue something you can fix?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I don't know. I'm trying, man. I'm trying. Let's see.

Q. What lessons do you take from the last few months?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I don't know. I'm not going that deep right now. I'm just, like, trying to address really what's going on and how far I can go this way.

Q. I know you don't like to give up, but did you consider giving up? Did you consider --

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I have, I have. I have, but then I won a set and then a third one. Then I was, like, okay, maybe there is a chance. Yeah, I didn't want to give up in fourth or fifth, so I wanted to kind of finish the match.

Q. The first time in 20 years you've lost in a first round.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah.

Q. It's kind of a crazy streak.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, it's a good record, another one. But, yeah, I'm not really thinking about it. You know, of course, I've been very proud of all the achievements in the past, but now is now.

You know, now is fresh off the court and still trying to manage my body.

Q. The crowd, what does it mean to have them try to pull you through that?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Yeah, they were super nice. So grateful to experience this. 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.

But from the perspective of the crowd and support, it was incredible, honestly from the beginning. They were trying to lift me up in important moments, and I'm very sorry that I, you know, didn't perform as well as I should have or could have or wanted for them. But the love and appreciation they gave me in the end was really touched my heart.