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Djokovic's tearful loss leaves future uncertain

After Novak Djokovic's latest bid for a historic 25th major title ends in tears in New York, where does the most decorated men's player of the Open era go from here?

Djokovic's tearful loss leaves future uncertain

Novak Djokovic's tearful loss at the US Open has left his future uncertain. The Serbian tennis legend, who has been a dominant force in the sport for over two decades, suffered a first-round exit for the first time since 2006. This latest defeat, following early exits in Paris and New York, raises questions about his place among the sport's all-time greats.

Despite his recent struggles, Djokovic has a history of overcoming adversity. He defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime in a five-set marathon at Wimbledon, the longest quarter-final in the tournament's history. At the Australian Open, he ended Jannik Sinner's bid for a third-straight title in a sensational comeback victory. However, this latest defeat has highlighted the physical challenges that even the greatest players face.

Djokovic recently revealed he has an ongoing health condition that affects him in hot, humid conditions. His early exit at the US Open was made all the more difficult by the humid New York weather. Despite his best efforts, Djokovic vomited and cramped during his match, describing it as the most uncomfortable experience of his career.

While the 39-year-old remains determined to continue competing, the loss has cast legitimate doubt on whether he can still deliver under pressure. The next world ranking update will see at least one of the Big Three - Djokovic, Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer - missing from the top 10.

Written by urgent.news from BBC News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.

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