Djokovic sensationally eliminated in first round of US Open

24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic sensationally ended his US Open campaign in the first round. The 39-year-old Serb lost to Argentinian Mariano Navone in five sets - 6:7 (5:7), 7:5, 6:4, 2:6, 1:6.

The match on Arthur Ashe Stadium lasted 4 hours and 36 minutes. Djokovic was seeded fourth at the tournament and considered one of the title contenders, while for 25-year-old Navone this victory became one of the biggest of his career.

The Serb lost the first set in a tiebreak but managed to turn the match around and win the next two sets. In the fourth set, Djokovic even took a lead with a break, but after that his physical condition noticeably deteriorated.

During the match, Djokovic felt unwell several times, he was nauseous, and the tennis player also had problems with cramps. Navone took advantage of the situation, won the fourth set 6:2, and in the decisive set he gave the opponent only one game.

Earliest exit in two decades

For Djokovic, this is the first loss in the opening round of a Grand Slam tournament since the 2006 Australian Open. Until now, the Serb had consistently passed the first round at the biggest tennis tournaments for over 20 years.

Djokovic had never previously been eliminated in the first round at the US Open. He has won the tournament in New York four times - in 2011, 2015, 2018 and 2023 - and reached the final six more times.

This year, the Serb came to New York with the intention of winning a record 25th Grand Slam title. Before the tournament, his chances looked especially strong against the backdrop of world No. 1 Jannik Sinner withdrawing due to injury and Carlos Alcaraz returning after a long break.

Navone, who won his first ATP title this season in Bucharest, will face the winner of another match in his section of the draw in the second round of the US Open.

Sources: The Guardian, ATP Tour