Ailing and visibly struggling, Novak Djokovic crashed out of the US Open in the first round on Monday Manila time, beaten in five grueling sets by Argentina’s Mariano Navone in what is his earliest Grand Slam exit in two decades.
The scoreline that shook Arthur Ashe
Djokovic, seeded fourth and chasing a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title, fell 7-6 (7/5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 to the world number 49 Navone after four hours and 36 minutes of suffering inside the night session at Flushing Meadows. It was the first time the 39-year-old has lost in the opening round of the tournament, and his first first-round defeat at any major since the 2006 Australian Open.
| Stat | Detail |
|---|---|
| Final score | Navone 7-6 (7/5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 |
| Duration | 4 hours, 36 minutes |
| Djokovic ranking / seed | No. 4 seed |
| Navone ranking | World No. 49 |
| Career Grand Slams (Djokovic) | 24 |
| Last first-round GS exit | 2006 Australian Open |
A night of vomiting, cramps and tears
The match turned physical early, with Djokovic vomiting into a towel bin barely 15 minutes in and repeatedly struggling with the humid New York conditions. He took a medical timeout before the deciding set for a spine massage and medication, but the cramps and pain he has battled all season eventually took over.
“I think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me,” Djokovic said afterward. “It is something that I have been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year. Vomiting, throwing up, serious issue there, and then my whole body starts to collapse, basically cramping and pain, and the back just gave up in the end, and shoulder.”
Navone’s dream night against his idol
The 25-year-old Argentine, who has long idolized Djokovic, produced the biggest win of his career. Fans had uncovered Navone’s decade-old X posts supporting the Serb, and his parents flew to New York after cutting a Caribbean holiday short when the draw was released. “It’s a dream come true, I mean seriously, 100%,” an ecstatic Navone said.
What it means for Djokovic’s Grand Slam chase
The defeat ends Djokovic’s latest bid for a standalone record 25th major, which would have moved him clear of Margaret Court. Chances appear to be running out: he had won all his previous 19 US Open first-round matches and reached at least the semifinals at six of the prior seven majors. The early exit follows a similar shock loss to Argentina’s Thiago Tirante at the Cincinnati Open two weeks ago, in the same punishing heat and humidity.
The bigger picture for Filipino tennis fans
Djokovic’s exit reshuffles a draw that already lost Casper Ruud to injury, opening the top half for the chasing pack even as Filipinos track the men’s and women’s storylines at Flushing Meadows this fortnight.
