Ailing Djokovic stunned in US Open first round

Novak Djokovic ground 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 US 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 Grand Slam match of Djokovic's career and became his earliest exit from one in two decades, dating back to the 2006 Australian Open. Going into the match, he had never lost in the first round at the US Open.

"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 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.

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 my shoulder, and I couldn't close it out."

With this defeat, 21 years to the day of his US Open debut, the question now lingers as to 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".

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 US Open since '06.

"I just struggled all the way since the fourth game of the match," Djokovic said.

AP