Novak Djokovic, the former world No. 1 and one of the greatest tennis players of all time, suffered an unprecedented early exit from the US Open on Sunday, losing in the first round to Argentina’s Mariano Navone. The 39-year-old Serbian defeated Navone in five sets, 6-7 (5-7), 7-5, 6-4, 2-6, 1-6, in a grueling match that lasted over four and a half hours. It marked the first time Djokovic, who had previously won the US Open four times, failed to advance past the opening round of the prestigious tournament. Djokovic endured severe physical distress throughout the match, frequently vomiting into a bucket on the sideline and visibly struggling with cramps and pain. He described the experience as one he “despised” every minute of, citing ongoing health issues that have plagued him for several years, particularly under hot and humid conditions. Despite these challenges, Djokovic fought valiantly, even managing to secure key points in each set before ultimately succumbing to fatigue and injury. The loss ended a remarkable streak of 78 consecutive Grand Slam first-round victories, which had begun at the 2006 French Open. It also dashed Djokovic’s hopes of securing his 25th Grand Slam title, a milestone that would have solidified his place as the most successful male player in tennis history. His last major victory came three years ago at the US Open, where he defeated Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in the final. Djokovic’s performance was marred by repeated episodes of nausea and physical exhaustion. During the second set, he vomited multiple times and appeared visibly weakened. At one point, he collapsed onto his knees after a long rally, panting heavily. Despite these setbacks, Djokovic showed resilience, winning crucial points and even breaking Navone’s serve in the third set. However, his body eventually gave out, and he was unable to recover in the fifth set, where Navone sealed the victory with relative ease. Navone, ranked 48th in the world, expressed disbelief at his historic win. “It was a tough match, a battle,” he said afterward. “Playing against Novak the first time in the biggest stage we have in the world of tennis right now... it’s crazy.” The Argentine, who had previously faced Djokovic only once in his career, admitted the victory meant a great deal to him, especially considering the magnitude of the occasion. Djokovic acknowledged the severity of his health struggles during the match. “I’ve been carrying this issue for a while,” he said. “You know, vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there. Then my whole body 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.” The health concerns were not new. Earlier this month, Djokovic withdrew from the Cincinnati Masters due to similar symptoms. He described the condition as an ongoing issue affecting him for “many years,” though he did not specify its nature. Despite this, he continued competing at the highest level, reaching the Australian Open final in January and the Wimbledon semifinals in June. Djokovic’s wife, Jelena, watched the match from the stands, her face etched with concern. Their children, Stefan and Tara, cheered enthusiastically whenever their father scored a point. After the match, Djokovic formed a heart with his hands toward the crowd as he left the court, acknowledging the support of his family. The defeat raises questions about Djokovic’s future in professional tennis. At 39, he is the oldest active member of the so-called “Big Four”, alongside Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray, who have dominated men’s tennis for nearly two decades. With his physical condition deteriorating, Djokovic has openly considered the possibility of retiring soon. In a recent documentary, he spoke candidly about balancing his career with family life, questioning how long he would continue subjecting himself and his loved ones to the demands of elite sports. As the tennis world reacts to this unexpected outcome, attention turns to whether Djokovic can find a solution to his health problems or if this marks the beginning of the end of his illustrious career. For now, he remains focused on the present, expressing determination to keep fighting despite the uncertainty ahead.
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