Novak Djokovic was in tears as his US Open campaign ended at the first hurdle.
The Serb was attempting to win a record-setting 25th Grand Slam and go above Australia’s Margaret Court with the most singles titles but his tournament hopes are over before they even truly began, suffering a five-set defeat to Argentina’s Mariano Navone.
An emotional outpouring on court followed what was Djokovic’s first-ever opening round loss at Flushing Meadows and the first time he had lost at such an early stage of a Grand Slam tournament since 2006.
Many, heading into this tournament, sensed this was the 39-year-old’s best chance of creating that aforementioned slice of history given the injury worries of defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and the absence of world number one Jannik Sinner.
Despite the match not ending how he’d have wished, it was actually an encouraging start for the Serb.
He broke Navone at the first attempt and was 4-1 up only to then struggle amid the humidity in New York as Navone edged a first set tie-break.
Djokovic was continuing to struggle physically, with the on-court doctor called on to tend to the veteran. But he persisted and found a second win, eventually taking the second set to level matters.
He kept this pace up in set three and jumped on a poor service game from Navone to break for 5-4 and then move ahead. In the end though, his opponent lasted the pace better and Djokovic won just three games across the final two sets to fall to a 7-6 (7-5) 5-7 4-6 6-2 6-1 defeat in what was the longest first round match of Djokovic’s Grand Slam career. But will it be his last?
“I didn’t enjoy myself,” Djokovic said afterwards. “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. Vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there. Then my whole body started to collapse, basically cramping and pain.
“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.”
