Mariano Navone shocks by defeating Novak Djokovic at the US Open

Mariano Navone, the Argentine tennis player, faced Novak Djokovic, the world number five and winner of 24 Grand Slams, in the first round of the US Open. The day also featured other Argentines like Thiago Tirante, who played against Adrian Mannarino, and Tomás Etcheverry, who faced Vit Kopriva. Additionally, Solana Sierra had a tough match against world number nine, Elina Svitolina.

Navone, hailing from 9 de Julio, surprised the tennis world by defeating Djokovic in a thrilling match that was decided in five sets. The match lasted four hours and 36 minutes, concluding with a score of 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, and 6-1 in favor of the Argentine.

Navone's victory is significant, as Djokovic had not lost in the first round of a Grand Slam in 20 years. The Serbian faced physical issues during the match, including episodes of vomiting, which hindered his ability to perform at his best.

After the victory, Navone acknowledged that it had not been an easy few weeks for him, but he considered beating the former world number one a dream come true. Djokovic, for his part, spoke about his physical complications and admitted he has been dealing with this issue in nearly all of his matches.

In post-match statements, Djokovic expressed his frustration, mentioning that the experience on the court was horrible and he even thought about quitting. His defeat has raised uncertainties about his future in professional tennis as he confronts these health challenges.

Djokovic's surprising elimination marks a notable moment in Mariano Navone's career, as his triumph not only brings him victory but also recognition in the international tennis arena.