Novak Djokovic's bid for another US Open title was cut short in the first round as he lost to Mariano Navone, with physical struggles appearing to hamper the 39-year-old. The defeat, which saw Djokovic break down in tears, provided further indication of the physical challenges facing the veteran player.
Marianos Navone secured the victory after a match that lasted over three hours. Djokovic's performance showed signs of distress early on, particularly during a lengthy rally in the first set that seemed to drain his energy. He called for medical attention after the ninth game, receiving tablets for his discomfort. The former world No. 1 appeared visibly pained between points, bending over and struggling to maintain his speed in his serve and groundstrokes. The first set ultimately went to Navone in a tie-break.
Despite the physical ailments, Djokovic managed to find a way back into the match. Seemingly aided by cooler conditions once the stadium roof was closed, he created break point opportunities in the second set. After missing earlier chances, he secured a break at 6-5 and served out to level the match.
The third set saw Djokovic display more animation, suggesting a potential resurgence. He broke Navone's serve at 5-4 to take the lead, a position from which he has historically secured victories even when facing physical challenges. However, he was unable to maintain this advantage against Navone, who had not previously advanced past the second round in New York. The match ultimately slipped away from Djokovic as the set progressed, leading to a subdued atmosphere in the stadium as it became clear he would not overcome the deficit.