Djokovic Loses First Match at the US Open
The 39-year-old tennis player cried during his defeat in New York
Novak Djokovic is 39 years old. He is a great tennis player.
He played his first match at the US Open in New York.
He played against Mariano Navone from Argentina. Navone is 25 years old.
Djokovic felt ill during the match. A doctor came and gave him tablets.
He cried in the last set. Then he lost the match in five sets.
Djokovic smiled and said well done to Navone.
Djokovic has 24 Grand Slam titles. He wanted number 25.
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Djokovic Beaten by Mariano Navone in US Open First Round
The 39-year-old cried during a five-set defeat in New York
Novak Djokovic broke down in tears during his first-round defeat at the US Open. The 39-year-old lost 7-6 (7-5) 5-7 4-6 6-2 6-1 to Mariano Navone of Argentina.
Djokovic struggled physically for the whole match. He was sick into a towel bin, and after the ninth game he called the doctor for some tablets.
The Serb, who was seeded fourth in New York, won the second and third sets, but he could not keep his lead. Navone won the last two sets easily.
It was the first time Djokovic had lost in the first round at Flushing Meadows, and his first first-round defeat at a Grand Slam since 2006. The crowd inside Arthur Ashe Stadium went quiet as the match went on close to midnight.
Djokovic managed to smile when he congratulated Navone, who is 25 and the world number 49. The defeat ended his latest attempt to win a record 25th Grand Slam singles title.
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Djokovic in Tears as Navone Wins US Open First-Round Match
The 39-year-old was physically unwell during a five-set defeat at Flushing Meadows
Novak Djokovic broke down in tears during a US Open first-round defeat by Argentina's Mariano Navone, in a result that provided further evidence that age is fast catching up with the 39-year-old.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion, seeded fourth in New York, was overcome by emotion in the deciding set of a dramatic match. He struggled physically throughout and had to vomit into a towel bin before losing 7-6 (7-5) 5-7 4-6 6-2 6-1. It was the first time he had been beaten in the opening round at Flushing Meadows, and his first opening-round loss at a Grand Slam tournament since 2006.
His problems appeared to begin with a lengthy rally that left him short of energy. His serve and groundstrokes slowed, and he called out the doctor after the ninth game for tablets. As he toiled, an eerie hush fell around Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Djokovic then recovered enough to level the match and led the third set 5-4 before serving it out. From such positions he would usually go on to win, but the match quickly ran away from him as the local time approached midnight, and Navone took the last two sets 6-2 6-1.
Djokovic raised a smile as he congratulated Navone, 25, on what will rank as one of the biggest victories of the world number 49's career. After showing grace and class, however, he appeared close to tears again as he walked back to the locker room. The defeat ended his latest bid for a standalone record 25th Grand Slam singles title.
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