Djokovic suffers earliest Grand Slam exit in 20 years

Novak Djokovic's US Open ended in the first round on Sunday night, as physical strain and a string of unforced errors caught up with the 24-time major champion in a gruelling five-set defeat to Argentina's Mariano Navone.

The 39-year-old Serbian, seeded fourth, went down 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in four hours and 36 minutes – the longest opening-round match of his career, and one that handed him his earliest departure from a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open. It was also his first-ever first-round loss at Flushing Meadows.

Djokovic looked unwell for much of the contest, vomiting on court and later appearing to cramp in his left foot. He received treatment on his lower back during a medical timeout between the fourth and fifth sets and was seen taking medication brought to him courtside.

Afterwards, he said the illness had affected him throughout the season: he described a recurring problem with vomiting that had left his body ‘collapsing’ under cramp and pain as the match wore on.

He committed 70 unforced errors over the course of the match, having built early leads of 3-0 and 4-1 in the opening set before surrendering it – something that had not happened to him in the first round of this tournament since 2006. Despite the physical toll, there were flashes of his best tennis: he pumped his fist after taking the second set and rallied the crowd on his way to winning the third, watched from the stands by his wife, Jelena.

Navone, 25, refused to be shaken by the occasion or his opponent's reputation. The Argentinian, who won his maiden ATP title earlier this year and grew up idolising Djokovic, closed out the biggest victory of his career to reach the second round, calling the experience a dream come true.

The defeat continues a difficult run for Djokovic, who also exited in the first round of last month's Cincinnati hardcourt event, his only competitive action since losing to world number one Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon semi-finals.

He had hoped the early Cincinnati exit would leave him better prepared for New York, but conceded that opening matches have become increasingly difficult for him to negotiate. With his future at the majors now in doubt, Djokovic said he was still weighing up how much further he could go.