08/30/26 11:03:00
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08/30 23:01 CDT Novak Djokovic loses in opening round of US Open for first
time, falling in 5 sets to Mariano Navone
Novak Djokovic loses in opening round of US Open for first time, falling in 5
sets to Mariano Navone
By STEPHEN WHYNO
AP Sports Writer
NEW YORK (AP) --- Novak Djokovic grinded through physical and internal
ailments, made one mistake after another and could not find what it took to
beat a feisty, younger opponent who was not intimidated under the lights
against tennis' most decorated player.
The 39-year-old is out of the U.S. Open after a first-round defeat to Mariano
Navone on Sunday night, losing 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a five-set
marathon that lasted four hours and 36 minutes. It was the longest opening
match of a Grand Slam in Djokovic's career and became his earliest exit in one
in two decades, dating to the 2006 Australian Open. He had never lost in the
first round at the U.S. Open.
With this defeat, 21 years to the day of his U.S. Open debut, the question now
lingers as to whether this was Djokovic's final match at this or any Grand Slam.
Djokovic made 70 unforced errors in a painful performance that ended mere
minutes before midnight.
The record holder with 24 major titles threw up at least once and later
appeared to be cramping when he grabbed at his left foot. Djokovic swallowed
pills brought to him by a doctor and had his lower back massaged during a
medical timeout between the fourth and fifth sets, and he grimaced after
several shots.
Throughout his time on court, it was clear Djokovic was not himself, and the
wear and tear of sickness and soreness took its toll. The No. 4 seed from
Serbia cruised to early 3-0 and 4-1 leads before blowing them and losing the
first set --- the first time that happened to him in the first round of the
U.S. Open since '06.
With his wife, Jelena, watching from the stands with worried looks on her face,
Djokovic had moments where he looked like one of the best to play the sport.
His fist pump was reserved after winning the second set, and he put his hand to
his ear and gestured to the crowd for applause on the way to taking the third.
But Navone --- a 25-year-old from Argentina who earlier this year won his first
ATP singles title --- did not go away. After firing a shot wide in the fourth
set, Djokovic landed awkwardly and dropped his racket.
Djokovic all but conceded the fourth set. But he was unable to muster enough
for the what would have been his 43rd five-set victory as Navone picked up his
first.
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