A loss that feels different - Djokovic's future more uncertain than ever

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountHomeNewsSportEarthReelWorklifeTravelCultureFutureMusicTVWeatherSoundsMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportEarthReelWorklifeTravelCultureFutureMusicTVWeatherSoundsClose menu BBC SportMenuHomeFootballCricketFormula 1Rugby UTennisGolfCyclingAthleticsMoreA-Z SportsAmerican FootballAthleticsBasketballBoxingCricketCyclingDartsDisability SportFootballFormula 1Gaelic GamesGolfGymnasticsHorse RacingMixed Martial ArtsMotorsportNetballRugby LeagueRugby UnionSnookerSwimmingTennisFull Sports A-ZMore from SportEnglandScotlandWalesNorthern IrelandQuizzesNews FeedsHelp & FAQsTennisScores & ScheduleQuizzesCalendarDjokovic's tearful loss leaves future uncertainTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be played Be warned: Novak Djokovic has made a fool of those who have doubted him before. Some questioned if the Serb would challenge for the sport's top honours again after he dropped out of the world's top 20 amid a two-year major title drought in 2018. Djokovic proceeded to win four of the following five Grand Slams, doubling his tally of majors with 12 across the next six years. But three years have now passed since he landed his men's record 24th major title at the US Open. And, as the 39-year-old fought back tears mid-match on Sunday night, this latest loss in New York felt different. Staring at a first opening-round Grand Slam exit since 2006, one of sport's all-time greats simply had nothing left, beaten 7-6 (7-5) 5-7 4-6 6-2 6-1 by Argentina's Navone. For so long now Djokovic has not only defied time, but appeared to be improving with it. That was evident at this year's Wimbledon, where he outlasted Felix Auger-Aliassime, 14 years his junior, in a five-set thriller that became the longest quarter-final in the tournament's history. Even in his late 30s, Djokovic has been the one challenging Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the new dominant forces in the men's game. At the Australian Open in January, he ended Sinner's bid for a third-straight title in a sensational five-set comeback victory. He then led Alcaraz by a set in the final, before fading to a four-set defeat. After early exits in Paris and New York, there is an inevitable sense that Melbourne was his best chance to secure an outright record 25th major triumph and cap a career unparalleled in every statistical measure. Djokovic was despondent after the match, saying he "despised every moment I spent on the court for that". "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," Djokovic said. "But, from the perspective of the crowd and support, it was incredible. "I'm very sorry that I didn't perform as well as I should have, could have, or wanted - for them." Published1 day agoThe four-time winner's shock first-round US Open defeat means: Djokovic will drop out of the world's top 10 for the first time since July 2018 His record streak of 78 successive wins in first-round matches at Grand Slams is over As is his perfect 37-0 record in the first two rounds at the US Open He suffered a first-round exit at a major for the first time in 20 years, when the then 76th-ranked Serb lost at the 2006 Australian Open Djokovic's refusal to disappear from contention on the sport's biggest stages has prolonged the final embers of the 'Big Three' era that captivated crowds for the best part of two decades. But, for the first time in almost 24 years, the next world ranking update will have a top 10 missing at least one of Djokovic, Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer. Nadal, a 22-time major winner, called time on his career aged 38 in 2024, two years after 20-time slam champion Roger Federer did so aged 41. While Djokovic, who will turn 40 next May, is still going, they all share one thing in common - they each last won a slam aged 36. Ken Rosewall remains the oldest men's singles slam champion in the Open era, winning the 1972 Australian Open two months after turning 37. There is no doubt that the game has become far more physically demanding over the 54 years since. Djokovic prevented Federer from breaking Rosewall's record when he saved two championship points to win the 2019 Wimbledon final, one month before the Swiss turned 38. And early exits are still rare for Djokovic at the Grand Slams. He has reached at least the semi-finals eight times at the past 12 majors. Up until now, Djokovic has not been as physically hampered as Nadal and Federer were in their final years on tour. But despite feeling that he had made his best recovery from a slam in two years post-Wimbledon, Djokovic recently revealed his struggles with an ongoing health condition that causes particular issues in hot, humid conditions. Djokovic dropped to his hands and knees and required a medical timeout in a surprise second-round loss in such conditions at August's Cincinnati Masters. The New York humidity was largely irrelevant once the roof was closed after just seven games on Sunday night - but by then, Djokovic was already struggling. He vomited and cramped during his four hours and 36 minutes on court, saying it felt as if his "whole body starts to collapse". Since winning his last slam, Djokovic achieved his lifelong goal of winning Olympic gold at Paris 2024.

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Source: BBC Sport

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