ARTHUR ASHE STADIUM — Novak Djokovic may have played his last US Open after he vomited his way to first-round defeat against Mariano Navone.
Djokovic was repeatedly sick on the side of the court and also received treatment on a back injury before losing 7-6 5-7 4-6 6-2 6-1, finishing at almost midnight.
Leaving the court after a battle that lasted close to five hours, he gave a lengthy and heartfelt goodbye to the Arthur Ashe crowd – and given the circumstances it felt much more like “farewell” than “see you next year”.
Djokovic said: “The love and appreciation they gave me in the end really touched my heart.”
Djokovic was given a huge ovation by the Arthur Ashe crowd (Photo: Reuters)He added: “They were super nice. So grateful to experience this. When it comes to match itself and overall feeling of how I felt with body and playing, it was really not enjoyable. I pretty much despised every moment that I spent on the court for that.
“But from the perspective of the crowd and support, it was incredible, honestly from the beginning. They were trying to lift me up in important moments, and I’m very sorry that I didn’t perform as well as I should have or could have or wanted for them.”
The 24-time slam champion had never lost in the first round of the US Open and looked to have turned a corner when he took a two sets to one lead, even while he could not keep water in his stomach for more than a few minutes.
But then his back seemed to seize up, the persistent shoulder injury that he has constantly taped returned, and Navone was eventually able to claim the biggest win of his career.
As well as apparent illness, Djokovic was battling back and shoulder injuries (Photo: AP)Djokovic had lost his only hard-court warm-up match, beaten by another Argentine in the shape of Thiago Tirante.
But he was also sick during that match and alluded afterwards to a health condition that makes it hard for him to cope with the heat and humidity.
“It was an awful feeling on the court for me,” said Djokovic, who was in tears during the final set.
“It’s something that I’ve been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year: vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there
“Then my whole body starts to collapse, cramping and pain. The back just gave up in the end and shoulder, and I couldn’t close it out.”
Djokovic also admitted he considered quitting mid-match but was a break up in the fourth, a set that would have sealed the match if he could have served it out. However, he only managed one more game as Navone finally broke his opponent’s resistance, potentially writing his name in the history books as the last man to beat Djokovic at the tournament he has won four times in his legendary career.
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