Novak Djokovic suffered a stunning first-round US Open defeat to Argentina’s Mariano Navone after battling vomiting, cramping, back and shoulder pain. Despite leading by two sets to one and holding a break in the fourth, Djokovic struggled physically and eventually lost the match.

New York: The 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic described his time on court as ‘an awful feeling’ after the Serbian great suffered a stunning first-round defeat to Argentina’s Mariano Navone at the US Open on Monday (IST), revealing that persistent physical problems, including vomiting, cramping and pain, severely affected his ability to finish the match.

“I think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me. It's something that I've been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year. Vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there. Then my whole body starts to collapse, basically cramping and pain,” Djokovic said after the loss, as quoted by ATP.

“Yeah, the back just gave up in the end and shoulder, and I couldn't close it out,” he added.

The defeat marked a remarkable break in Djokovic's Grand Slam record. The 39-year-old had not lost in the opening round of a major since the 2006 Australian Open, with his only other first-round defeat at a Grand Slam coming at the 2005 Australian Open.