Novak Djokovic suffers shock US Open first-round exit against Mariano Navone

Novak Djokovic has been knocked out of the US Open in the first round for the first time in his career after losing to Argentina’s Mariano Navone in the longest opening-round match he has played at a Grand Slam.

The 39-year-old Serbian, ranked fifth in the world, was beaten 7-6 (7-5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 by world number 39 Navone after four hours and 35 minutes in New York.

It is the first time Djokovic has lost his opening match at one of tennis’s four major tournaments since the 2006 Australian Open, when he was defeated by American Paul Goldstein.

The defeat also ended Djokovic’s run of reaching at least the third round at the US Open in each of his previous 19 appearances. Navone, 25, produced the best performance of his career to claim one of the biggest wins in the tournament’s opening round.

Djokovic recovered after losing the first set in a tie-break, taking the second and third sets to move within one of victory. However, his physical condition deteriorated as the match progressed.

He experienced stomach problems and nausea, and had to serve again while on court during the third set. He also complained of pain in his left foot before falling while attempting to play a backhand.

Djokovic appeared to make an involuntary split movement during the rally and seemed to injure his lower back and right shoulder. Medical staff attempted to help him, but he was unable to regain his physical level.

His serve lost its usual power and Navone won the final eight games in succession to complete the victory.

Navone became only the second Argentine player to defeat Djokovic at a Grand Slam, following Guillermo Coria’s win against the Serbian at Roland Garros in 2005.

The result came only days after Djokovic was also beaten by Argentina’s Thiago Agustin Tirante at the Cincinnati tournament.

After the match, Djokovic spoke openly about his physical struggles and admitted he was concerned by the problems he has been experiencing during matches.

“It was clear that I felt very bad on the court. Unfortunately, this is something I have been dealing with in almost every match this year,” Djokovic said.

“Vomiting and having to serve again, it is a serious problem. After that, my whole body starts to break down, with cramps and pain. In the end, my back and shoulder also broke down, and I was unable to finish the match.”

He added: “I am really trying to find out what is happening to me, and how long I can continue if I keep playing this way.”

Djokovic said he had considered whether to stop but continued after winning the second and third sets.

“Yes, I thought about it. But I won a set and then the third set, and I thought: maybe there is still a chance,” he said.

“I did not want to give up in the fourth or fifth set, so I wanted to finish the match.”

He also apologised to the crowd for being unable to produce the performance he had hoped to deliver.

“The fans tried to lift me in the important moments, and I am very sorry that I could not give the performance that I should have given, or that I was capable of giving, or that I wanted to give for them,” Djokovic said.

“But the love and support they gave me at the end really touched my heart.”

The defeat raises further questions about Djokovic’s future, particularly after a period in which he has struggled with physical issues. He has moved outside the world’s top 10 for the first time since July 2018 and has fallen to 11th in the ATP Race to Turin, which determines qualification for the season-ending ATP Finals.

Djokovic previously said he wanted to continue playing until the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, when he would be 41, and then bring his career to an end. Achieving that ambition now appears more difficult.

His next expected appearance is at the exhibition event Six Kings Slam, which is scheduled to take place on 21, 22 and 24 October.