Tennis legend Novak Djokovic faced a stunning first-round defeat at the US Open against unseeded Argentine Mariano Navone, marking his earliest Grand Slam exit in nearly two decades and ending his quest for a record 25th major title.
Key Points
- Novak Djokovic suffered a shock first-round exit at the US Open, losing to unseeded Argentine Mariano Navone 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.
- This marks Djokovic's earliest departure from a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open, ending his bid for a record 25th major title.
- Djokovic, 39, struggled with a back issue and vomited during the match, visibly emotional before Navone secured the victory.
- Mariano Navone, world number 49, celebrated the biggest win of his career, calling it a 'dream come true' to defeat the 'GOAT'.
- The gruelling match lasted four hours and 36 minutes, with Navone holding his nerve in the deciding set.
Novak Djokovic made his earliest exit at the US Open after a shock 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 loss to unseeded Argentine Mariano Navone in a gruelling first-round clash on Sunday, as his latest bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title went up in smoke. The 39-year-old, who vomited during the match and struggled to serve towards the end due to a back issue, was in tears shortly before Navone sealed victory. It marked the first time the Serb had lost in the opening round of a Grand Slam since the Australian Open in 2006.
Navone's Dream Victory
Navone revelled in the biggest win of his career and was stunned to have beaten a player he considers the greatest of all time (GOAT). "Five sets, against the GOAT, it's not something you do every day. I'm very happy," Navone said on court. "It means a lot to me. It's a dream come true. Now I have to recover. It's almost 12 a.m. We have to go to sleep."
Djokovic's Struggles and Early Lead
Djokovic had arrived for his 20th appearance at the Grand Slam with questions over his form and fitness after losing to Thiago Agustin Tirante in his Cincinnati opener two weeks ago. He raced to a 3-0 lead in the opening set in humid conditions but Navone pulled level at 4-4 after a short delay during which the roof of the main showcourt was closed as rain fell at Flushing Meadows.
With the fourth seed still looking uncomfortable, world number 49 Navone forced a tiebreak and claimed the set to draw loud cheers and gasps from the crowd.
A Gruelling Five-Setter
Djokovic, a four-times champion in New York, dug deep to take the second set, and after vomiting into a courtside bin during the third set he looked to have recovered, breaking 25-year-old Navone for a 5-4 lead before closing out the set despite a shaky game on serve.
But Navone responded by claiming the fourth set as Djokovic's serve deserted him towards the end due to a back issue, and the Argentine held his nerve in the decider to complete a famous win in four hours and 36 minutes.
'In The 5th Set He Was A Bit Shaken'
"I pretty much despised every moment I spent on the court for that," Djokovic told reporters.
With world number one Jannik Sinner absent and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz returning after a lengthy spell out injured, Djokovic looked primed for a run at a record 25th Grand Slam.
But Navone had not read the script and completed the biggest win of his career against his idol at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
"I was 0-3 down, feeling a bit nervous out of respect for the star I was up against," the world number 49 told ESPN.
"It's tough to play against Novak, he's an idol. He never looked particularly comfortable with his shots or physically, that's the truth.
"In the fifth set he was a bit shaken. I had to focus on my game. You don't get many chances to play an idol on a stage like this ... it's incredible what I'm feeling; it's all so exciting. It's mad."
