Novak Djokovic says he \u201cpretty much despised every moment\u201d of his shock US Open first round loss when he vomited on court and ended a 20-year streak of progressing from his opening grand slam match.<\/p>\n
Not since the 2006 Australian Open has Djokovic lost in the opening round of a grand slam but his two decade streak came to a painful and drawn out end as he contemplated quitting mid-match due to deteriorating health.<\/p>\n
Djokovic was bidding for his 25th grand slam title but instead suffered a devastating loss to 48th ranked Argentine Mariano Navone losing 7-6 (7\/5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in four hours and 36 minutes. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me,\u201d Djokovic said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s something that I\u2019ve been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year. You know, vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there. <\/p>\n
\u201cThen my whole body, you know, starts to collapse, basically cramping and pain. <\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, the back just gave up in the end and shoulder, and I couldn\u2019t close it out, you know? <\/p>\n
\u201cI was a break up in the fourth, but just struggled all the way since the fourth game of the match. <\/p>\n
\u201cAgain, I don\u2019t want to take too much out of his win. Congrats to him. He\u2019s a nice guy, a fighter. But, you know, I didn\u2019t enjoy myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The loss ended his run of 78 Grand Slam first-round victories, a streak stretching all the way back to Djokovic\u2019s 2006 loss to Paul Goldstein at the 2006 Australian Open. <\/p>\n
Djokovic was seen vomiting on court and struggled with late-match cramps but appeared to have finally taken control when he broke Navone for a 2-1 lead in the fourth set with a vintage backhand winner down the line. <\/p>\n
But Navone won the next five games, raising his arms in celebration after fighting off two break points for a 5-2 lead and breaking Djokovic again to force the fifth set. <\/p>\n
Djokovic took a medical timeout before the final set, receiving massage on his spine and another delivery of medication.<\/p>\n
But Navone jumped to a 3-0 lead in the decisive set and there was no road back for the Serb as his opponent dropped just onepoint on his own serve as he sprinted to the finish line<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s unbelievable,\u201d an ecstatic Navone said after triumphing in his first meeting with his longtime idol. \u201cIt\u2019s a dream cometrue, I mean seriously, 100 per cent. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis incredible court, the biggest stage … Now I have to recover. I think it\u2019s almost 12 o\u2019clock, so we have to go to sleep,\u201d he added after securing the win shortly before midnight after four hours and 36 minutes. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Djokovic told the media after the game that he contemplated quitting midmatch but suddenly found himself in front and then didn\u2019t want to give up out of respect to his rival.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, I didn\u2019t want to give up in fourth or fifth, so I wanted to kind of finish the match,\u201d Djokovic said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen it comes to match itself and overall feeling of how I felt with body and playing, it was really not enjoyable. <\/p>\n
\u201cI pretty much despised every moment that I spent on the court for that.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut from the perspective of the crowd and support, it was incredible, honestly from the beginning. They were trying to lift me up in important moments, and I\u2019m very sorry that I, you know, didn\u2019t perform as well as I should have or could have or wanted for them. But the love and appreciation they gave me in the end was really touched my heart.\u201d<\/p>\n