fajar-ramadhan
The iconic tennis legend Novak Djokovic experienced a dramatic downfall at the US Open, bowing out in the first round after a grueling five-set defeat to unseeded Argentine player Mariano Navone. The 39-year-old Serbian tennis great's quest for a 25th Grand Slam title came to a halt on Sunday night as he succumbed to a physical and emotional battering that spanned four hours and 36 minutes.
The match, which saw Djokovic struggle with internal ailments and physical discomfort, marked his earliest exit from the US Open in two decades. It was also the longest opening match of a Grand Slam in his career. The match was a painful reminder of Djokovic's current form, as he admitted to suffering from vomiting and severe cramping throughout the contest.
The first set of the match was a see-saw battle, with Djokovic taking an early 3-0 lead before Navone staged a remarkable comeback. Despite the initial advantage, Djokovic's form plummeted, leading to a 5-7 loss of the first set. He managed to win the second and third sets, but Navone fought back strongly, eventually securing a 7-6 (5) victory in the fourth set.
Djokovic's physical toll was evident throughout the match. He vomited at least once during the contest and appeared to be in severe pain, particularly with his lower back. The tennis great had his lower back massaged during a medical timeout between the fourth and fifth sets, but the damage had already been done.
"It's something that I've been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year: vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there," Djokovic admitted after the match. "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."
The defeat marked the end of a tumultuous season for Djokovic, who has been struggling with injuries and health issues. The Serb's loss at the Cincinnati Open in August, where he was stunned in the second round, seemed to foreshadow this latest disappointment at the US Open.
Despite his physical struggles, Djokovic showed glimpses of his best tennis, particularly in the second and third sets. His wife, Jelena, watched on from the stands with worried looks on her face, but it was not enough to prevent his exit.
Navone, a 25-year-old from Argentina who won his first ATP singles title earlier this year, was unfazed by the challenge of playing against tennis's greatest player. "For sure it's the best thing I've had on court," Navone said after the match. "This is an amazing court and the biggest stage. It's amazing, the way we play. I mean, five sets ... I'm very happy."
The win was a dream come true for Navone, who has long idolized Djokovic. "You are playing with the 'GOAT' [greatest of all time] on this court," he said. "It's the best thing I've had on court. This is an amazing court and the biggest stage."
For Djokovic, the defeat raises questions about his future in the sport. The tennis great, who has been a dominant force on the ATP Tour for years, has now lost in the first round of two consecutive Grand Slams. As he contemplates his next steps, the tennis world waits to see if this is indeed the end of an era for one of the greatest players of all time.
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