Novak Djokovic suffered a first-round defeat at the US Open on Sunday night, losing a five-set match to Mariano Navone. This marks his earliest exit from a Grand Slam tournament since his teenage years, leading to significant questions about his career trajectory.
The 39-year-old expressed his strong dissatisfaction with his performance, stating, "I pretty much despised every moment that I spent on the court." Djokovic has previously indicated his intention to compete until the 2028 LA Olympics, aiming for a record 25th Grand Slam title.
Djokovic admitted to an underlying health issue causing discomfort, questioning if it can be fixed. His ranking is now expected to drop out of the world's top-10, a position he has held since 2018, which could make his path in future Grand Slams more challenging.
Despite his recent struggles, Djokovic reached all four Grand Slam finals in 2025 and a Grand Slam final at the start of 2026. He could potentially return at the Australian Open in January after a period of rest and recovery.