Novak Djokovic, struggling with physical and internal ailments, made one mistake after another and could not find the strength to beat a feisty, younger opponent under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The 39-year-old Serb lost to Argentina's Mariano Navone 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a five-set marathon lasting four hours and 36 minutes on Sunday night.

This defeat marks Djokovic's earliest exit from a Grand Slam in two decades, dating back to the 2006 Australian Open. He had never lost in the first round at the US Open before. 'I didn't enjoy myself,' Djokovic said. 'I think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me.'

The record holder with 24 major titles vomited at least once and appeared to be cramping when he grabbed at his left foot. He took pills from a doctor and had his lower back massaged during a medical timeout between the fourth and fifth sets. Djokovic made 70 unforced errors in a painful performance that ended just before midnight.

'It's something that I've been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year: vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there,' Djokovic said. 'Then my whole body starts to collapse, basically cramping and pain. Yeah, the back just gave up in the end, and shoulder, and I couldn't close it out.'

With this defeat, coming 21 years to the day of his US Open debut, questions now linger about whether this was Djokovic's final match at this or any Grand Slam. After the loss, he said he was 'trying to address really what's going on and how far I can go this way.'

Navone, a 25-year-old from Argentina who won his first ATP singles title earlier this year, did not go away. He called the victory a dream come true. 'For sure it's the best thing I've had on court. This is an amazing court and the biggest stage. It's amazing, the way we play. I mean, five sets … I'm very happy,' Navone said.

This extends a nightmare stretch for Djokovic, who also lost in the second round at the Cincinnati tuneup earlier this month. That was his first action since losing to top-ranked Jannik Sinner in the semifinals at Wimbledon. Now, he is left to contemplate an uncertain future.

Source: www.aljazeera.com