Novak Djokovic was defeated by Mariano Navone in the first round of the US Open on Monday, marking his earliest exit from a Grand Slam tournament in 20 years. The 24-time Grand Slam champion lost 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a match lasting four hours and 36 minutes.
During the match, Djokovic reportedly vomited multiple times and struggled with cramps. He stated that a particular health condition, exacerbated by the heat and humidity, was behind his physical struggles, a sentiment he had also expressed after a recent loss at the Cincinnati Open.
This is only the third time in Djokovic's career that he has been defeated in the first round of a major tournament, and the first since the 2006 Australian Open when he was 18 years old. Navone, 25, who considers Djokovic his idol, played a strong match, chasing down balls and maintaining length.