Djokovic stunned by Navone in US Open first round, ends 20-year record

Novak Djokovic's bid for a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title came to an abrupt end on Monday at the US Open, as he suffered a shocking first-round loss to Argentina's Mariano Navone. The 39-year-old Serb, who had been chasing history in Flushing Meadows, was overwhelmed in a grueling five-set contest that highlighted his physical struggles.

This defeat marked only the third time in Djokovic's illustrious career that he has lost an opening-round match at a major, shattering a remarkable 20-year streak of winning the first set of a US Open first-round match, which he hadn't done since 2006.

Despite his evident physical distress, Djokovic displayed his characteristic resilience, battling back from a tight first-set tie-break loss (7-6(5)) to secure the next two sets (7-5 and 6-4). However, his body eventually gave in, with Djokovic requiring treatment for a lower back issue and suffering cramps, allowing Navone to triumph in the fourth set (6-2) and force a decisive fifth set. Exhausted, Djokovic succumbed to the pressure, losing the final set (6-1) and being eliminated from the tournament.

The match was a brutal physical ordeal from the outset, with Djokovic visibly struggling to maintain his usual form. He had previously expressed in the tournament's buildup about feeling prepared, yet he appeared far from his best. Djokovic was seen vomiting multiple times during the third set, a clear sign of his deteriorating condition. He had previously revealed that he was dealing with a health condition that is exacerbated by heat and humidity, making his physical plight all the more challenging.