In a surprising upset at the U.S. Open, Novak Djokovic, the 39‑year‑old Serbian who holds the record with 24 major titles, was knocked out in the first round by Argentina’s 25‑year‑old Mariano Navone. The match, played under the lights on Sunday night, stretched to five sets and lasted four hours and 36 minutes, making it the longest opening‑round Grand Slam match of Djokovic’s career.
Navone took the opening set 7‑6 (5) after a tightly contested tiebreak. Djokovic rallied to claim the second set 7‑5, but the Argentine continued his momentum, winning the third 6‑4. The fourth set saw Djokovic’s physical ailments become evident; he vomited, crammed his left foot, and required a medical timeout for a back massage and medication. Navone capitalized, closing the set 6‑2, and then sealed the match with a 6‑1 finish in the fifth.
Physical struggles and medical interventions
Throughout the contest, Djokovic battled persistent nausea, cramping, and back pain. He admitted after the match that he had been dealing with “vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there” in every match this year. The Serbian star swallowed pills supplied by a doctor and received a lower‑back massage between the fourth and fifth sets, but the discomfort continued to hamper his play.
Statistically, Djokovic committed 70 unforced errors and appeared visibly fatigued, grimacing after several shots and dropping his racket after a mis‑step in the fourth set. He described the experience as “an awful feeling on the court” and said he “despised every moment” he spent playing.
Navone’s breakthrough victory
For Navone, the win was a dream come true. The Argentine, who captured his first ATP singles title earlier this year, said, “It was very tough for me because you are playing with the ‘GOAT’ on this court. I’m very happy. I don’t know what to say.” His performance against the sport’s most decorated player earned him widespread praise and a place in the spotlight.
Djokovic’s early exit follows a first‑round loss at the Cincinnati hard‑court tune‑up earlier in August, suggesting a challenging start to the U.S. Open season for the Serbian champion. After his loss in Cincinnati, he had hoped the extra preparation time would help, but recent matches indicate that his body is struggling to endure the rigors of a Grand Slam schedule.
Future outlook
With the defeat, questions arise about Djokovic’s longevity at the highest level of tennis. The Serbian legend, who debuted at the U.S. Open 21 years ago, hinted that he is evaluating how far he can continue competing. “I’m trying to address what’s going on and how far I can go this way,” he said.
Navone will advance to the second round, while Djokovic’s supporters will watch closely to see how he manages his health issues moving forward. The tennis world will be eager to see whether the Serbian champion can rebound in upcoming tournaments or if this marks a turning point in his storied career.
Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
