Novak Djokovic upset by Mariano Navone in US Open 1st round

Key Points:

• Novak Djokovic was defeated in the first round of the US Open by Mariano Navone in a five-set match lasting four hours and 36 minutes, marking his earliest Grand Slam exit in 20 years and first-ever first-round loss at the US Open.
• The 39-year-old Djokovic struggled with physical ailments throughout the match, including vomiting, cramping, back and shoulder pain, and made 70 unforced errors, significantly impacting his performance.
• This loss caused Djokovic to fall out of the ATP Top 10 rankings for the first time since July 2018 and ended a streak where either Djokovic, Federer, or Nadal had always reached the US Open second round since 2003.
• Djokovic expressed uncertainty about his future in Grand Slam tournaments, acknowledging ongoing health issues and the difficulty of starting matches strong in recent years.
• Mariano Navone, a 25-year-old Argentine who won his first ATP singles title earlier this year, celebrated his victory as a dream come true and his first five-set win against a top player.