Novak Djokovic suffered a first-round defeat to Mariano Navone at the US Open, marking his earliest exit from a grand slam tournament in two decades.
Key facts
- •The match lasted four hours and 36 minutes and concluded around midnight.
- •This is Djokovic's first opening-round loss at a major since the 2006 Australian Open.
- •Djokovic served well for much of the match but saw his first serve deteriorate by the fourth set.
- •Tournament organizers closed the Arthur Ashe Stadium roof due to rain when the score was 4-3 in the first set.
- •Navone's parents traveled to New York for the match after canceling a planned Caribbean holiday.
Novak Djokovic was defeated in the first round of the US Open by Mariano Navone, losing 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1. The match lasted four hours and 36 minutes, during which the 24-time grand slam champion struggled with severe physical illness, including repeated vomiting and cramping. This loss marks only the third time in Djokovic's career that he has been eliminated in the opening round of a major tournament.
By the numbers
Physical Distress During Match
Djokovic began showing signs of distress approximately 15 minutes into the match, struggling with humidity despite the night-time conditions. Throughout the contest, he was observed panting, vomiting into a towel bin, and requiring medical attention, including pills provided by a doctor at 5-4 in the first set. Djokovic stated that he has been dealing with this health condition throughout the year, noting that it leads to his body collapsing, cramping, and experiencing pain in his back and shoulder.
Opponent's Performance and Background
Mariano Navone, a 25-year-old competitor, secured what he described as the biggest win of his career. Navone, who has previously expressed admiration for Djokovic on social media, maintained consistent play throughout the match, forcing the ailing champion into extended rallies. While Navone is primarily known for his results on clay, he successfully navigated the conditions at Arthur Ashe Stadium to overcome the two-sets-to-one deficit Djokovic had established.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Guardian Sport.
