Record 24-time Grand Slam champion, Novak Djokovic, has described his first-round defeat at the US Open as an “awful feeling” after struggling physically throughout a marathon five-set clash with Argentina’s Mariano Navone.
The 39-year-old Serbian, who has won a record 24 Grand Slam singles titles, battled through vomiting, cramps and severe pain before eventually losing 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a contest that lasted four hours and 36 minutes.
The defeat marked Djokovic’s first opening-round exit at a Grand Slam since Paul Goldstein defeated him at the 2006 Australian Open.
Djokovic had previously revealed that he was dealing with an ongoing health problem, and following Monday’s defeat, he acknowledged that the issue was serious.
“I think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me,” said Djokovic.
“It’s something that I’ve been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year. 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?
“Can the issue be fixed? I don’t know. I’m trying, man. I’m trying. Let’s see.”
Djokovic started strongly, breaking Navone early to lead 3-0, but his physical condition deteriorated rapidly as the opening set progressed.
He eventually surrendered the set in a tie-break.
The former world number one responded in the second set, securing a crucial break at 6-5 after vomiting near the courtside towel box before levelling the match.
He continued to battle through the third set, where another bout of sickness did not prevent him from converting his only break opportunity and moving ahead.
Djokovic also broke early in the fourth set to establish a 2-1 lead, but Navone responded as the Serbian increasingly struggled with his movement.
As the match entered its decisive stages, Djokovic appeared to be suffering from severe cramping and could barely move around the court.
Navone took control, winning the fourth set and then racing through the fifth to complete the biggest victory of his career.
Reflecting on the match, Djokovic admitted that he found the experience extremely difficult.
“I was a break up in the fourth, but just struggled all the way since the fourth game of the match,” he added.
“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.
“When it comes to match itself and the overall feeling of how I felt with my body and playing, it was really not enjoyable. I pretty much despised every moment that I spent on the court for that.”
Despite his physical struggles, Djokovic showed sportsmanship at the conclusion of the contest, congratulating world number 49 Navone on a landmark victory.
The Serbian was visibly emotional at points during the fifth set but managed to acknowledge his opponent before leaving the court, bringing an unexpectedly early end to his US Open campaign.
