NEW YORK -- Novak Djokovic grinded through physical and internal ailments, made one mistake after another and could not find what it took to beat a feisty, younger opponent who was not intimidated under the lights against tennis' most decorated player.
The 39-year-old is out of the US Open after a first-round defeat to Mariano Navone on Sunday night, losing 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a marathon match that lasted four hours and 36 minutes. It was the longest opening match of a Grand Slam in Djokovic's career and became his earliest exit in one in two decades, dating to the 2006 Australian Open. He had never lost in the first round at the US Open.
"I didn't enjoy myself," said Djokovic, who did a small group interview outside the locker room instead of a formal news conference. "I think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me."
The record holder with 24 major titles threw up at least once and later appeared to be cramping when he grabbed at his left foot. Djokovic swallowed pills brought to him by a doctor and had his lower back massaged during a medical timeout between the fourth and fifth sets. He grimaced after several shots.
Mariano Navone def. (4) Novak Djokovic 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1
• Snaps Djokovic's 78-match win streak in the opening round of majors; was the longest such streak by any man in the Open era (since 1968) • Djokovic's last major first-round loss was to Paul Goldstein at the 2006 Australian Open • Djokovic's first career loss in the first round of the US Open (was 19-0 entering match) • At 4 hours, 36 minutes, the longest opening-round match in Djokovic's major career and his third-longest US Open match, behind the 2012 final vs. Andy Murray (4:54) and 2007 second round vs. Radek Stepanek (4:41) • Navone's second career ATP Top-10 win (defeated No. 5 Felix Auger-Aliassime in Rome earlier this year) • Navone's first career five-set win on the ATP Tour (0-4 entering match) • First major since the 2003 French Open not to feature Djokovic, Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal in the second round
-- ESPN Research
Djokovic made 70 unforced errors in a painful performance that ended mere minutes before midnight local time.
"It's something that I've been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year: vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there," Djokovic said. "Then my whole body starts to collapse, basically cramping and pain. Yeah, the back just gave up in the end and shoulder, and I couldn't close it out."