Rizky Amelia
The iconic tennis journey of Novak Djokovic took a dramatic turn as the Serbian tennis great exited the US Open in the first round after a grueling five-set defeat to unseeded Argentine player Mariano Navone. The match, which lasted an epic four hours and 36 minutes, was a somber end to Djokovic's pursuit of a 25th Grand Slam title.
Djokovic, who has been battling physical and internal struggles, seemed to be in discomfort throughout the match, visibly in pain and visibly struggling. The 39-year-old appeared to have thrown up at least once during the match and later showed signs of cramping in his left foot. Despite taking medication and receiving medical attention during a timeout, Djokovic's performance was severely impacted.
The match ended in a 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 defeat for Djokovic, marking his earliest exit from the US Open in two decades. The defeat was particularly hard on the veteran player, who had never lost in the first round of the tournament before.
"It was an awful feeling on the court for me," Djokovic admitted after the match. The 24-time major champion made 70 unforced errors during his performance, which concluded just minutes before midnight.
The physical toll of the match was evident in Djokovic's post-game comments. "I've been carrying vomiting and a serious issue, pretty much every match this year," he revealed. "Then my whole body starts to collapse, basically cramping and pain."
The loss at the hands of Navone, a 25-year-old who had never faced Djokovic before, came 21 years to the day of Djokovic's US Open debut. Despite leading early in the match, Djokovic struggled to maintain his composure and found himself chasing the match throughout.
Navone, who won his first ATP title earlier this year at the Țiriac Open in Bucharest, played an excellent match, never letting Djokovic gain a comfortable lead. "It was very tough for me because you are playing with the 'GOAT' on this court," Navone said after the win. "For sure it’s the best thing I’ve had on court."
The defeat was a significant setback for Djokovic, who had also lost in the second round at the hardcourt tuneup in Cincinnati earlier this month. It marked his first action since losing to top-ranked Jannik Sinner in the semifinals at Wimbledon.
Despite expressing hope that his early exit at Cincinnati would give him more time to prepare for the US Open, Djokovic acknowledged his growing concerns about the first match at any tournament in recent years. Instead of overcoming the hurdle and building from there, he is left to contemplate an uncertain future.
The match was a stark reminder of the physical demands placed on professional tennis players and the challenges that come with age and injury. As fans reflect on Djokovic's exit, they also pay tribute to his remarkable career and the legacy he has built on the tennis court.
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