In a surprising upset on Sunday night at the U.S. Open, world No. 4 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, making it the longest opening‑round match of Djokovic’s career.
Match details
Djokovic fell 7‑6 (5), 5‑7, 4‑6, 6‑2, 6‑1 after a grueling contest that saw the Serbian champion struggle with physical discomfort. He suffered from vomiting, cramping and back pain, requiring a medical timeout in which a doctor provided medication and a lower‑back massage. Throughout the match he recorded 70 unforced errors and was visibly fatigued, even throwing up on court.
“I didn’t enjoy myself,” Djokovic said afterward. “It was an awful feeling on the court for me.” He added that his body has been collapsing in recent matches, describing ongoing issues with nausea, cramping and shoulder pain.
Implications for Djokovic
The loss 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 defeat at the Cincinnati hard‑court tournament, suggesting a pattern of early‑round struggles for the 39‑year‑old. While Djokovic expressed hope that the Cincinnati loss gave him extra preparation time, he now faces uncertainty about his ability to compete at the highest level in future Grand Slam events.
Navone’s breakthrough
Navone, who captured his first ATP singles title earlier this year, praised the experience of playing the “GOAT” on such a big stage. “It was very tough for me because you are playing with the GOAT on this court,” he said, calling the victory a dream come true.
Djokovic’s wife, Jelena, watched from the stands, and the Serbian legend showed moments of his former brilliance, including a fist pump after taking the second set. However, the physical toll proved too great, and he was unable to secure what would have been his 43rd five‑set victory.
Looking ahead
With the U.S. Open now over for Djokovic, the tennis world will watch closely to see how he addresses his health concerns and whether he can return to his dominant form in upcoming tournaments.
Original reporting: NBC Connecticut — read the source article.
