Novak Djokovic's U. S.
Open campaign ended abruptly Sunday night with a shocking first-round loss to unseeded Mariano Navone.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion was visibly distressed throughout the match, vomiting on court and breaking down in tears.
Djokovic, widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, fell to Navone in five sets: 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.
During the fifth set, with Djokovic trailing 3-1, he began to cry as the crowd tried to rally behind him.
The match lasted over four hours, during which Djokovic also suffered a cramp, grabbed his foot, and took medication provided by a doctor.
He also received a back massage during a medical timeout.
Navone, ranked 48th in the world, played aggressively and dominated the final set, showing no intimidation against the tennis legend.
After the match, Djokovic admitted, "I didn't enjoy myself. I think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me."
This defeat marks Djokovic's earliest Grand Slam exit in 20 years, dating back to his first-round loss at the 2006 Australian Open.
It was also his first-ever first-round loss at the U. S.
Open.
