Novak Djokovic’s bid to capture a 25th Grand Slam title came to an unexpected end at the US Open, where the Serbian champion suffered a shocking first-round loss to unseeded Argentine player Mariano Navone. The match, which extended nearly four and a half hours, saw the fourth-seeded Djokovic fall 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in five sets on Sunday night, marking his earliest exit from the tournament in over two decades.
Throughout the contest, Djokovic battled visible physical struggles that ultimately proved insurmountable. The 39-year-old vomited during play, experienced cramping in his lower body, and received medical attention between sets. He committed 70 unforced errors and acknowledged afterward that persistent health issues have plagued him throughout the year, including gastrointestinal problems that caused his body to deteriorate as matches progressed.
The younger Navone, a 25-year-old who captured his first ATP title earlier this year, refused to be intimidated by his legendary opponent and refused to surrender even as Djokovic claimed the second and third sets. The Argentine expressed disbelief at his achievement, calling the victory a dream realized after growing up idolizing the tennis icon.
Djokovic’s defeat raises questions about his future in professional tennis. The loss follows a second-round exit at Cincinnati and comes exactly 21 years after his US Open debut, prompting speculation about whether this may have been his final Grand Slam appearance.
Originally reported by Aljazeera →
About the Author
