A Body That Kept Failing
The No. 4 seed led 3-0 and 4-1 in the first set before surrendering both leads, and finished the night with 70 unforced errors. Between the fourth and fifth sets he received treatment on his lower back. He grimaced after shots, grabbed at his left foot, and at one point dropped his racket after landing awkwardly.
Djokovic described the problem as chronic rather than a bad night. "It's something that I've been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year: vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there," he said. "Then my whole body starts to collapse, basically cramping and pain. The back just gave up in the end and shoulder, and I couldn't close it out."
He was blunt about the experience: "I pretty much despised every moment that I spent on the court."
Navone's Night
Navone, a 25-year-old Argentine who won his first ATP singles title earlier this year, was playing the man he grew up idolizing, and won his first five-set match in the process. Djokovic, who has 42 five-set victories, could not add a 43rd.
"It was very tough for me because you are playing with the 'GOAT' on this court," Navone said. "For sure it's the best thing I've had on court. This is an amazing court and the biggest stage."
What Comes Next, if Anything
The loss extends a grim run: Djokovic also went out in the first round at the Cincinnati tuneup this month, his first match since losing to Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon semifinals. He had said on Saturday he hoped the early Cincinnati exit gave him more preparation time, while admitting that opening matches have become a recurring hurdle.
Asked about his future, the 24-time Grand Slam champion offered no clarity, saying he was "trying to address really what's going on and how far I can go this way." Whether Sunday night was his last match at a Grand Slam is now an open question, and his wife Jelena watched most of it from the stands with visible concern.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What was the score of Djokovic's US Open loss?
- Mariano Navone won 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in four hours and 36 minutes on Sunday night.
- Has Djokovic ever lost in the US Open first round before?
- No. It is his first opening-round defeat at the US Open in 21 years of appearances, and his earliest Grand Slam exit since the 2006 Australian Open.
- What was wrong with Djokovic physically?
- He threw up during the match, appeared to cramp, took medication from a doctor and had a medical timeout for his lower back. He said the vomiting has affected "pretty much every match this year."
- Is Djokovic retiring?
- He has not said. Asked about his future after the loss, he said he was "trying to address really what's going on and how far I can go this way."
- Who is Mariano Navone?
- A 25-year-old Argentine who won his first ATP singles title earlier this year. This was his first career five-set win, against the player he idolized growing up.
