Novak Djokovic was eliminated from the US Open in the first round in a dramatic upset, losing in five sets to Argentina's Mariano Navone. The 39-year-old Serb remains stuck on 24 Grand Slam titles, tied with Margaret Court, after a 7-6 (7-5) 5-7 4-6 6-2 6-1 defeat that lasted four hours and 36 minutes, the longest Major opener of his career.
Physical struggles on court
Having dropped the opening set, Djokovic fought back to lead 2-1 before his condition deteriorated sharply, forcing him to request a medical timeout. He was subsequently sick at least three times on court and slumped to a five-set defeat, conceding that he remains baffled by the problem, which has plagued him throughout the entire season.
"I think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me. It's something that I've been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year," Djokovic said. "You know, vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there. Then my whole body, you know, starts to collapse, basically cramping and pain. Yeah, the back just gave up in the end and shoulder, and I couldn't close it out, you know?"
He added: "I was a break up in the fourth, but just struggled all the way since the fourth game of the match. Again, I don't want to take too much out of his win. Congrats to him. He's a nice guy, a fighter. But, you know, I didn't enjoy myself."
Future in doubt
Djokovic was in no mood to discuss the future or address whatever difficulties he had been experiencing on court. He did say: "I don't know how I can solve it. At the moment, I don't want to go into too much detail. I'm just trying to understand what's going on and how much longer I can keep going like this."
When pressed on what lessons he had taken from recent months, Djokovic replied: "I don't know. I'm not going that deep right now. I'm just, like, trying to address really what's going on and how far I can go this way."
The Serbian star even conceded he had contemplated retiring from the match during the defeat, before ultimately deciding to battle on. "I have, I have [considered quitting]," he admitted. "I have, but then I won a set and then a third one. Then I was, like, okay, maybe there is a chance. Yeah, I didn't want to give up in fourth or fifth, so I wanted to kind of finish the match."
Path clears for Alcaraz
Djokovic's shock exit clears the path somewhat for Carlos Alcaraz, widely regarded as the overwhelming favourite to claim his eighth Grand Slam title and successfully defend the US Open crown he lifted last year. The Spaniard made his comeback from the wrist injury that ruled him out of both the French Open and Wimbledon, and faces Ruman Safiullin in his opening round match on Monday.
