Novak Djokovic has repeatedly silenced doubts about his ability to compete at the highest level. But his latest US Open defeat has raised fresh questions about the 39-year-old’s future after an emotional first-round exit in New York.
Djokovic was once again challenged to prove himself after falling outside the world’s top 20 during a two-year drought without a major title in 2018. He responded by winning four of the next five Grand Slam tournaments, taking his total to 12 majors over the following six years.
Djokovic suffers emotional US Open defeat
Three years have passed since Djokovic won his men’s record 24th Grand Slam title at the US Open. On Sunday night, however, the Serbian struggled to find a response as he fought back tears during his latest match at Flushing Meadows.
Facing the prospect of his first opening-round Grand Slam defeat since 2006, one of the greatest players in tennis history was beaten 7-6 (7-5) 5-7 4-6 6-2 6-1 by Argentina’s Navone.
Djokovic has spent years defying the effects of time and, at times, appeared to be improving with age. That was evident at this year’s Wimbledon, where he defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime, 14 years his junior, in a five-set quarter-final that became the longest in the tournament’s history.
Even in his late 30s, Djokovic remained one of the players capable of challenging Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the leading forces in men’s tennis.
At the Australian Open in January, Djokovic ended Sinner’s bid for a third consecutive title with a remarkable five-set comeback victory. He then took the opening set against Alcaraz in the final before fading to a four-set defeat.
Australian Open may be Djokovic’s best remaining chance
Following early exits in Paris and New York, there is an inevitable sense that Melbourne represented Djokovic’s strongest opportunity to win an outright record 25th major title and add another landmark to a career unmatched by almost 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.”
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
