Novak Djokovic’s bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title came to an abrupt end Sunday night when he fell to Argentina’s Mariano Navone in the opening round of the US Open. The match, lasting four hours and 36 minutes, ended with a score of 7-6 (7/5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in Navone’s favor. This marked Djokovic’s earliest Grand Slam exit in two decades, dating back to his 2006 Australian Open loss.
The 39-year-old Serbian champion struggled visibly throughout the contest, battling physical ailments that included on-court illness and muscle cramps. Despite receiving medical attention and treatment from his team between sets, Djokovic appeared unable to overcome his health challenges. Navone, ranked 48th globally, capitalized on his opponent’s difficulties, showing no hesitation against the tennis legend and maintaining composure during crucial moments.
The loss also concluded Djokovic’s remarkable streak of 78 consecutive first-round victories at Grand Slam tournaments, a record that stretched back nearly two decades. After the final point, Djokovic embraced Navone and acknowledged the crowd’s support before departing the court. An elated Navone described the victory as a dream realized, having defeated his longtime idol on one of tennis’s grandest stages.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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