Novak Djokovic has crashed out of the US Open after losing to Argentina’s Mariano Navone in the first round.
The 39-year-old Serbian lost 7-6, 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 after a gruelling four-hour, 36-minute battle.
The defeat ended Djokovic’s dream of winning a record 25th Grand Slam title and a fifth US Open crown.
Djokovic struggled badly with vomiting, cramps, pain and exhaustion in the hot and humid New York conditions.
He took the second and third sets but could not maintain his level as his physical problems worsened.
Navone took advantage of Djokovic’s struggles to win the final two sets and claim one of the biggest victories of his career.
Djokovic admitted afterwards that he had been dealing with serious physical problems throughout the match.
The loss was Djokovic’s earliest Grand Slam exit since the 2006 Australian Open and will see him fall out of the ATP top 10.
Earlier, American veteran Venus Williams also lost in the first round to compatriot Sofia Kenin.
Djokovic’s exit means that, for the first time since 2003, none of Djokovic, Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal will reach the second round of a Grand Slam.
