Djokovic suffers shock first-round exit at US Open against Navone

Novak Djokovic suffered a shock first-round exit at the U.S. Open on Sunday, losing  to unseeded Argentine Mariano Navone in his earliest Grand Slam defeat in 20 years, Reuters reported.

The 39-year-old Serbian, a four-time U.S. Open champion, was bidding for a record 25th Grand Slam title but struggled physically during the four-hour, 36-minute match.

Djokovic vomited during the third set and later battled back shoulder problems that affected his movement and serve.

The loss was the first time since the 2006 Australian Open that Djokovic lost in the first round of a Grand Slam and it also represented the end of his latest run to a fifth US Open. Navone, ranked outside the top 40, battled back from a deficit of two sets to one to dictate play throughout the final two sets, and the 25-year-old held his nerve to secure the biggest upset of his young career.

“Five sets, against the GOAT, it’s not something you do every day. I’m very happy,” Navone said on court after the match. “It means a lot to me. It’s a dream come true.”

Djokovic’s appearance at Flushing Meadows, after his early exit in Cincinnati and having dealt with issues in previous tournaments too this year, also raised further questions over the 24-time Grand Slam winner’s ability to challenge at the sharpest end of the game.