Novak Djokovic throws up multiple times and breaks down in tears during first-ever first-round defeat at US Open

NOVAK DJOKOVIC threw up multiple times and broke down in tears on the Arthur Ashe court as he suffered his first-ever first-round loss at the US Open. The Serbian turns 40 next year and age caught up with him as he struggled with fitness and sickness throughout a five-set defeat to Argentine Mariano Navone, which finished five minutes before midnight local time. Novak Djokovic was in tears during the final set against Mariano Navone Credit: Getty Images Djokovic struggled physically throughout the contest Credit: AP Photo/Frank Franklin II The 24-time Grand Slam champion was seen vomiting into a towel bucket as he wilted in the humidity under a closed roof at Flushing Meadows. Navone, 25, came from 2-1 down in sets to shock the former world No1 7-6 5-7 4-6 6-2 6-1 in four hours and 36 minutes. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! Though it was always to be a difficult task for Djokovic to win the title here in the Big Apple, this was still a surprise exit. Djokovic twice popped pills which were given to him by a trainer and repeatedly placed an ice pack on the back of his neck to cool himself down. Before the start of set five, he called for a trainer and had a massage on his lower-back area during a three-minute medical time-out. And during the deciding set he could no longer keep a lid on his emotions. This is the first time in 20 visits he had failed to win his opening match at Flushing Meadows. And it is the first time he has gone out in the first round at any of the four majors since the 2006 Australian Open. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK Navone notched one of the biggest wins of his career Credit: AP Photo/Frank Franklin II Djokovic was gracious in defeat Credit: Getty Images Djokovic’s wife, Jelena, watched on concerned from the stands Credit: AP Photo/Frank Franklin II Watched on by his loyal wife and two young kids, Djokovic – who was given a time violation at one point for taking too long to serve – could be seen clutching his left shoe due to pain. It was clear he was not his usual self and fair play to Navone for managing to capitalise on this weakness. Djokovic, 39, said: “I think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me. “It’s something that I’ve been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year. You know, vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there. “Then my whole body, you know, starts to collapse, basically cramping and pain. “The back just gave up in the end and shoulder, and I couldn’t close it out. “I don’t want to take too much out of his win. Congrats to him. He’s a nice guy, a fighter. But I didn’t enjoy myself. “Is this something I can fix? I don’t know. I’m trying, man. “I didn’t want to give up in the fourth or fifth set. I wanted to finish the match. “The crowd were super nice. So grateful to experience this. Djokovic had never previously gone out in the first round at Flushing Meadows Credit: Larry Marano/Shutterstock Djokovic was seeking his 25th Grand Slam singles title Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via REUTERS “When it comes to the match itself and the overall feeling of how I felt with my body and playing, it was really not enjoyable. “I pretty much despised every moment that I spent on the court for that.” The Belgrade star had a similar issue with puking during his recent Cincinnati Open appearance against Thiago Agustin Tirante. Djokovic later revealed that the problem was connected to an existing health condition. However he did not provide a diagnosis, only saying it was a condition, related to heat and humidity, “that I have, health-wise, that has been bothering me for the past couple of years”. Lionel Messi’s missus Antonela Roccuzzo, a social media influencer, was in the stands of the 23,933-arena. Yet unlike when she was present for the football World Cup final six weeks ago, between Spain and Argentina, she did witness an Argentinian celebrate sporting success in the New Jersey/New York area. Navone, who hails from Buenos Aires, said: “This is amazing. To play five sets against the GOAT, you don’t do that every day. “I am very happy. This means a lot to me. A dream come true. “Now I have to recover, it’s almost 12am. I have to sleep.” Comment now