In a surprising upset at the U.S. Open, world‑number‑four Novak Djokovic was eliminated in the first round by 25‑year‑old Argentine Mariano Navone. The match stretched to five sets and lasted four hours and 36 minutes, becoming the longest opening‑round Grand Slam match of Djokovic’s career.
Match details
Djokovic, 39, fell 7‑6 (5), 5‑7, 4‑6, 6‑2, 6‑1. He struggled with physical ailments throughout, vomiting on court, experiencing cramping, and receiving a medical timeout for a back massage and medication. He committed 70 unforced errors and appeared visibly fatigued, grimacing after several shots.
“I didn’t enjoy myself,” Djokovic said after the loss. “It was an awful feeling on the court for me.” He added that he has been dealing with persistent vomiting and body collapse in many matches this year, and that his back and shoulder finally gave out.
Implications
The defeat ends a 20‑year run of first‑round success at the U.S. Open, dating back to his debut in 2006. It also follows a recent first‑round loss at the Cincinnati hard‑court event, suggesting that early‑round matches have become a significant hurdle for the Serbian champion.
Navone, who captured his first ATP singles title earlier this year, expressed pride in beating the “GOAT,” saying the victory was a dream come true on tennis’s biggest stage.
Future outlook
Djokovic indicated he will focus on addressing his health issues and evaluating how far he can continue competing at the highest level. The loss leaves open the question of whether this will be his final Grand Slam appearance.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
