John McEnroe has faced heavy criticism after his reaction to Mariano Navone’s surprise win over Novak Djokovic at the US Open appeared dismissive to many viewers.

Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, was overcome during his five-set defeat on Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday, breaking down in tears and vomiting into a bin as the match slipped away. The fourth seed suffered his first opening-round loss at Flushing Meadows, and it marked the first time he had exited in the opening round of a Grand Slam since 2006.

After losing 7-6 (7-5) 5-7 4-6 6-2 6-1, Djokovic said, “I think it was obvious that that it was an awful feeling on the court for me. I don’t want to take too much out of Mariano’s win. Congrats to him, he’s a nice guy and a fighter – but I didn’t enjoy myself.

“It’s something that I have been carrying pretty much every match this year – vomiting, throwing up. And then my whole body starts to collapse basically, cramping and pain – the back just gave up in the end and shoulder, and I couldn’t close it out.”

The discussion soon shifted to McEnroe, whose remarks after Navone’s breakthrough drew a strong backlash on social media. Rather than focusing on the Argentine’s biggest career victory, the seven-time major winner noted that Navone would be heading to Court 21 in the next round, where he will meet Stan Wawrinka or Matteo Berrettini.

“You’ll be playing your second round on Court 21. We wish you the best. And he is going to have to try and play with that effort and intensity but enjoy the moment, young man,” said McEnroe.

That clip was then shared by Awful Announcing, prompting a wave of criticism from tennis fans. One user wrote, “McEnroe’s entire attitude towards Navone was despicable from the jump.” Another said, “Completely disrespectful. The Novak glazing was unbearable.” A further comment read, “John McEnroe is such a loser. Navone earned the biggest win of his life and immediately gets this said about him,” while another argued that world No 42 Navone, who has reached a career high of 29, should have been put on Arthur Ashe for McEnroe’s comments alone.

Others said they were “so f****** tired” of the pundit and former player, and one reaction said it was, “long past time for McEnroe to go away.” Some suggested he was trying to be funny but missed the mark. Incidentally, there isn’t a Court 21 at Flushing Meadows.

The 2026 US Open has started its main draw, and one more former finalist has now joined the list of players stepping away from the season’s final major.

The 146th US Open opened on Sunday 30 August and will finish with the men’s singles final on Sunday 13 August. As the last stop of the North American summer hard-court season, the tournament is being staged at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York City.

Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka return as the defending singles champions, with both players having claimed their second US Open titles last year.

Jannik Sinner, the 2024 champion and 2025 runner-up, withdrew before this year’s event because of a right knee injury. The ATP world No 1 has not played since winning his fifth Grand Slam title at Wimbledon last month.

Casper Ruud is the latest name to leave the draw. The former world No 2 and three-time Grand Slam finalist became the 12th man and 21st player overall to withdraw from the US Open. The 27-year-old Norwegian pulled out soon after play began on Sunday after a back injury forced him to retire in his opening match at the Cincinnati Masters.

Ruud, who finished runner-up to Alcaraz at the 2022 US Open, confirmed the news on Instagram.

“Unfortunately, my back hasn’t healed as quickly as we had hoped,” Ruud wrote.

“We’ve been optimistic that I would recover in time, but my team and I have decided that we need to think long term and give my body the time it needs.

“I’m very sad to announce that I have to withdraw from this year’s US Open singles event. It’s never easy to miss a Grand Slam, but I know this is the right decision.”

“I’ll take the time I need to recover properly and come back stronger. Thank you for all the support.”

Ruud, ranked world No 20, is the second highest ranked man to withdraw after Sinner.

The women’s withdrawal list also includes Victoria Mboko, Hailey Baptiste, Jaqueline Cristian, Emma Raducanu, Irina-Camelia Begu, Jil Teichmann, Ajla Tomljanovic, Laura Siegemund and Varvara Gracheva.

Jannik Sinner’s surprise withdrawal from the 2026 US Open has been linked to a knee problem that has kept him off court since Wimbledon.

The world No 1 has not competed since beating Alexander Zverev in four sets to win the Wimbledon final last month. After later missing the Canadian Open, Sinner said a right knee issue had been “bothering” him when he announced he would also skip the Cincinnati Open.

Last week, he confirmed that the same problem would rule him out of New York, saying he needed additional time before returning.

“Even though I have been working hard with my team and my medical staff, we have now had to make the difficult decision that I will not be able to compete at the US Open this year,” the 25-year-old wrote.

“We have been back on court in Monte Carlo over the last couple of days and have realised that I still need more time to recover from my right knee issue.

“I’m obviously very sad and disappointed, as New York has a special place in my heart.”

A report from Sky Sport Italy has now given a clearer picture of the problem, describing it as “extra-articular tendon inflammation” in Sinner’s right knee. The report added that it is “the least serious type” of knee tendon inflammation and said it is mainly treated through rest and physical therapy.

The same report noted that attempting to play the US Open would not have been the right call. “Trying to play wouldn’t have been impossible, but it was certainly not advisable considering the rest of the season and especially the future,” it stated.

Sky Sport Italy also said a return for Beijing and Shanghai is “the primary option on the table” for the five-time major winner.

Sinner is the reigning China Open champion, and the 2026 Beijing ATP 500 begins on 30 September, giving him more time to recover. He has continued treatment at JMedical in Turin this week.