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Novak Djokovic suffered a stunning five-set defeat to Argentina’s Mariano Navone in the first round of the US Open.
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The 39-year-old lost 7-6, 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 after four hours and 36 minutes in New York.
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The defeat ended Djokovic’s bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title and fifth US Open crown.
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Djokovic’s early exit also raises fresh questions about the future of the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
August 31, (THEWILL) — Novak Djokovic’s bid for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title suffered a stunning setback after the Serbian was eliminated in the first round of the US Open by Argentina’s Mariano Navone.
Djokovic, the 39-year-old former world No. 1, was beaten 7-6 (7-5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a gruelling contest that lasted four hours and 36 minutes at Flushing Meadows.
The result marked one of the biggest upsets of the tournament so far, with Navone entering the contest as the world No. 49 and having never previously defeated Djokovic.
It was also Djokovic’s earliest Grand Slam exit since the 2006 Australian Open and the first time he has failed to reach the second round of the US Open since 2005.
Djokovic appeared to be in control after recovering from losing the opening set. He won the second and third sets to move within one set of victory, but his physical condition deteriorated as the match progressed.
The Serbian struggled badly in the heat and humidity, vomiting several times during the encounter and experiencing cramping and severe physical discomfort.
Navone took advantage of Djokovic’s decline in the fourth set, recovering from an early break before forcing the match into a deciding set.
The Argentine then dominated the fifth, dropping only one game to complete the biggest victory of his career.
Djokovic was unable to find the physical strength required to mount another comeback and eventually finished the match with 70 unforced errors.
Speaking after the defeat, Djokovic admitted that his physical problems had made it extremely difficult to compete at his usual level.
“I think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me,” Djokovic said.
He explained that vomiting and the physical issues he has experienced throughout the season eventually affected his movement, with his back and shoulder also causing problems.
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The defeat is particularly significant given Djokovic’s remarkable record in five-set matches. Before the encounter, he had won 42 of his previous 54 matches that had gone the distance.
Navone, meanwhile, entered the match with a 0-4 record in five-set matches but produced a remarkable turnaround to secure the biggest victory of his career.
The 25-year-old Argentine, who idolised Djokovic while growing up, struggled to hide his emotions after completing the upset.
Navone’s victory also makes him the first player to defeat Djokovic in the opening round of the US Open and the first player to eliminate him in the first round of a Grand Slam since Paul Goldstein at the 2006 Australian Open.
For Djokovic, the defeat leaves his season at a difficult crossroads.
The Serbian had been chasing a fifth US Open title and a record 25th Grand Slam trophy, but those ambitions have now ended before the tournament had truly begun.
His performance in New York will also raise questions about whether his body can continue to cope with the demands of competing at the highest level.
Djokovic had already experienced physical problems during his recent tournament appearance in Cincinnati, where he struggled in the heat and was forced to deal with sickness during his defeat by Thiago Tirante.
With the Serbian now set to fall outside the ATP’s top 10 for the first time in eight years, his latest Grand Slam defeat represents a major moment in the twilight of one of tennis’ greatest careers.
For Navone, however, the night belonged entirely to him.
The Argentine arrived at Arthur Ashe Stadium facing one of the most accomplished players in tennis history and left with the biggest win of his career and a place in the second round of the US Open.
Olumide Atiba is a sports journalist with THEWILL, known for his keen news sense and compelling storytelling. He has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, well-structured reports that resonate with readers, with a strong focus on football coverage
