Novak Djokovic was eliminated in the first round of the U.S. Open on Sunday night, his earliest exit from a Grand Slam tournament in two decades. The 24-time major champion fell to the 25-year-old Argentine Mariano Navone in a five-set marathon that lasted four hours and 36 minutes, with a final score of 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.
Djokovic, who had never lost in the first round at the U.S. Open prior to this match, struggled with physical ailments throughout the contest. He reported experiencing vomiting and cramping, and appeared to be in discomfort, particularly with his back and shoulder towards the end of the match. The world No. 4 took pills and received medical attention for his back and other issues between the fourth and fifth sets.
“I didn’t enjoy myself,” Djokovic said after the match. “It was an awful feeling on the court for me.” He described the physical challenges as something he has been dealing with throughout the year. “My whole body starts to collapse, basically cramping and pain. Yeah, the back just gave up in the end and shoulder, and I couldn’t close it out.”
The defeat marks a significant early exit for Djokovic, whose history at the U.S. Open includes a record 24 major titles. This marks his earliest exit from a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open. The match was also the longest opening-round match of his career.
Despite the physical issues, Djokovic made 70 unforced errors during the match. He held early leads in the first set, but Navone, who secured his first ATP singles title earlier this year, maintained pressure. Navone, who idolizes Djokovic, described the victory as a dream come true.
This loss follows a pattern of recent early exits for Djokovic, including a first-round defeat at the Cincinnati Masters earlier in August. The Serbian player expressed uncertainty about his future participation in major tournaments, stating he is “trying to address really what’s going on and how far I can go this way.”