Djokovic suffers first-round US Open loss to Navone amid illness and pain

Novak Djokovic, hindered by ongoing vomiting, cramping and back pain, lost to Argentina's Mariano Navone in a marathon five-set battle that stretched 4 hours 36 minutes at the US Open. After taking the first set in a tiebreak, Djokovic surrendered the next two sets and could not halt Navone's momentum, ultimately succumbing 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1. The Serbian recorded 70 unforced errors, vomited on court, and received a medical timeout for a foot grab and back massage.

This loss represents his quickest Grand Slam exit in two decades and his first opening-round defeat at the US Open. Djokovic lamented the experience, describing it as “awful” and questioning how much longer he can compete at this level. Navone celebrated the victory as a dream come true, noting he had grown up idolizing the “GOAT.”