Novak Djokovic admitted that he felt awful on the court after suffering a first-round loss at the US Open against Mariano Navone. The Serbian said he didn’t feel comfortable on the court because of the physical challenges.
This is Djokovic’s first opening-round loss at a Major since the 2006 Australian Open. Thus, he could not make it to the second round of a Slam after 20 years and seven months.
The former World No.1 also had a teary eye during the match when he was struggling to get going against the Argentine.
“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,” Djokovic said. “Vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there. Then my whole body starts to collapse, basically cramping and pain.
“Yeah, the back just gave up in the end and my shoulder, and I couldn’t close it out.”
Despite the physical limitations, Djokovic was leading two sets to one and also had a break in the fourth set. However, Navone registered a 7-6, 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 win against the veteran.
Djokovic said he doesn’t want to take anything away from his opponent and gave him credit.
“I was a break up in the fourth, but just struggled all the way since the fourth game of the match,” Djokovic said. “Again, 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.”
Djokovic also vomited during the match a couple of times as he struggled with his health.
“I have, I have. I have, but then I won a set and then [the] third one,” Djokovic said. “Then I was, like, ‘Okay, maybe there is a chance’. Yeah, I didn’t want to give up in fourth or fifth, so I wanted to kind of finish the match.”
Speaking on his first-round loss record after 20 years, Djokovic said, “It’s a good record, another one. But, yeah, I’m not really thinking about it. Of course, I’ve been very proud of all the achievements in the past, but now is now. Now [it] is fresh off the court and [I am] still trying to manage my body.”
