Novak Djokovic and Venus Williams Are Knocked Out of the US Open
US Open
August 31, 2026
Novak Djokovic and Venus Williams have turned back time for a good number of years. But time has finally won, as it always does in the end.
To be eliminated in the first round of a Grand Slam with sickness, cramps and acute pain in his back and shoulder. That sad state of affairs will tell the legendary Serb everything he needs to know about the potential timing of his departure from the tennis stage.
A 25th major proved elusive, but there is no shame in that. He went down fighting in the longest first-round match of his Grand Slam career – four hours and thirty-six minutes.
Novak Djokovic will retire as the most successful male tennis player in the history of our beautiful sport. Wimbledon 2027 will doubtless welcome him in any shape or form.
But retire he surely must at the end of this tennis year. And if he has any doubts, he only needs to listen to himself after Mariano Navone beat him 7-6 (7-5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.
After all, enjoyment is everything, when you have won everything. And that is something lacking in the life of Djokovic on court right now.
Novak explained: ‘I didn’t enjoy myself. 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. Vomiting, throwing up, a serious iussue there.
‘Then my whole body started to collapse – basically cramping and pain. The back just gave up in the end. And the shoulder. I couldn’t close it out.’
Venus Williams couldn’t quite sustain her fightback either. Her compatriot, Sofia Kenin edged their contest 6-2 7-6 (8-6) in the early hours. Venus is 46. She can’t go on forever.
But there were some bright spots for the Brits at Flushing Meadows, even though Cameron Norrie was dumped out in the first round by Luca Van Assche.
Toby Samuel notched the biggest win of his career by beating Tomas Machac 6-2, 6-3, 6-2. And Katie Boulter served strongly in the first and last sets to see off Carol Young Suh Lee 6-4, 4-6, 6-0.
Novak Djokovic and his early elimination at the US Open underlines just how unpredictable Grand Slams can be. Wimbledon 2027 will be a thrilling rollercoaster too!
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