Navone defeats Djokovic in five-set US Open opener as Serbian battles illness

Novak Djokovic, right, embraces Mariano Navone after Navone won their match. (AP Photo)

NEW YORK CITY: A champion’s challenge faded into the night as his body caved in on Arthur Ashe, while a younger pro kept his head and superbly pieced his game together to find a way. There was heroism on both sides of the net on the US Open’s opening Sunday. For Mariano Navone, the 25-year-old ranked No. 49 in the world, it was more than staring down a legend who had a 37-0 career record in first and second rounds of the US Open. The compactly built Argentine produced a stirring level of tennis, backed by a firm resolve. For Novak Djokovic, the 24-time major winner, it was a stubborn refusal to give in amid extraordinary scenes on court. Through four hours and 40 minutes of physical torment, the 39-year-old, so unwell that he vomited more than once and required medical attention, even took a two set to one lead. Egged on by a crowd that stoked his spirit, Djokovic kept going, even when his body appeared to have nothing more to give. Navone, a clay-courter, adapted well on Sunday, particularly on the backhand side, to clinch his first five-set win in five matches, 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1. Djokovic, in the hunt for a 25th major title, said he felt awful on court and “pretty much despised every moment he spent on court” for that reason. “It's something that I've been carrying into pretty much every match this year. Vomiting, it’s a serious issue there. Then my whole body starts to collapse, basically cramping and pain. The back just gave up, in the end it was the shoulder, and I couldn't close it out,” Djokovic said. “I was a break up in the fourth, but struggled all the way since the fourth game of the match.” He added, “I don't want to take too much out of his win. Congrats to him. He's a fighter.” Djokovic didn’t elaborate on his health issue, but said he was trying to find a solution. The Serbian superstar said giving up did cross his mind. “But then I won a set and then a third one. Then I was, like, okay, maybe there is a chance,” he said. “I didn't want to give up in fourth or fifth, I wanted to finish the match.” The truth is that there’s no easy draw for Djokovic anymore. Not because of the quality of his opponents, but because of the expectations he carries onto court every time. Against an Alcaraz or Sinner, age offers an explanation when he loses. Against the likes of Navone, that doesn't count. At 39, Djokovic is expected to win, and win comfortably. But time is not moving to anyone’s bidding, and the other players in the draw know that. Navone, just 12-29 in tour-level matches on hard courts, had to raise his level mentally and physically in the first round. As ragged as Djokovic’s condition was, Navone still had to cross the line against a player of this stature, and that is never easy. “I never played on the Arthur Ashe, I never played against Novak before. It's the first time I won a five-set match. This moment we will remember for a long time,” Navone said. “For me, the mental part was the best one. I was two sets to one down, and then a break down also in the fourth, but in that moment I feel it. My game was better from there.”

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Even when Djokovic was throwing up behind the towel box, Navone put his head down and went about his business. “I understood he wasn't feeling very good,” he said. “It’s tough to play against him like this, because you have chances to win against him. I had to keep my mind in the moment, in my game, and the important things on my side. That’s the best thing I did.”