Novak Djokovic defeated by Mariano Navone in the first round of the US Open

NEW YORK – Novak Djokovic endured physical and internal ailments, made one mistake after another and couldn’t find what it took to beat a younger, feistier opponent who was undeterred under the lights against tennis’ most decorated player.

The 39-year-old is out of the US Open after a first-round loss 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 Grand Slam opening match of Djokovic’s career and became his earliest exit at one in two decades, since the 2006 Australian Open. He had never lost in the first round of the US Open.

With this defeat, 21 years after the day of his debut at the US Open, Djokovic will be out of the ATP Top 10, the first time he has been out of the Top 10 since July 2018.

Djokovic committed 70 unforced errors in a painful performance that ended just minutes before midnight ET.

“(It was) very difficult for me because you are playing with the ‘GOAT’ on this court,” said Navone, who idolized Djokovic as a child. “It’s definitely the best I’ve ever had on the court. This is an incredible court and the biggest stage. It’s incredible the way we played. I mean, five sets… I’m very happy. I don’t know. What can I say?”

The record holder with 24 major titles vomited at least once and then appeared to cramp when he grabbed 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 grimaced after several shots.

Throughout his time on court, it became clear that Djokovic was not himself, and the wear and tear of illness and pain took their toll. The No. 4 seed from Serbia built early leads of 3-0 and 4-1 before blowing them and losing the first set, the first time that has happened to him in the first round of the US Open since 2006.

With his wife, Jelena, watching from the stands with a worried look on her face, Djokovic had moments when he looked like one of the best to play the sport. His raised fist was reserved after winning the second set, and he put his hand to his ear and gestured for the crowd to applaud on the way to taking the third.

But Navone, a 25-year-old Argentine who earlier this year won his first ATP singles title, didn’t disappear.

Nor the frustration of not being healthy or at his best. After hitting a shot wide in the fourth set, Djokovic landed awkwardly and dropped his racquet.

Djokovic was about to concede the fourth set. But he couldn’t muster enough for what would have been his 43rd win in five sets, as Navone took his first.

“It’s amazing,” Navone said. “This means a lot. It’s a dream come true.”

It extended a nightmare streak for Djokovic, who also lost in the first round at the hard-court tune-up in Cincinnati earlier this month. That was his first action since losing to top-ranked Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon semifinals.

Djokovic on Saturday expressed hope that his early exit in Cincinnati would give him more time to prepare for the US Open, but acknowledged his concern that the first match of any tournament has become a challenge for him in recent years. Instead of overcoming the obstacle and building from there, you are forced to contemplate an uncertain future.

The loss snapped Djokovic’s streak of 78 consecutive victories in the first round of Majors, the longest streak of any man in the Open era. His loss means this year’s US Open will be the first Slam since the 2003 French Open that will not feature Djokovic, Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal in the second round.