Tearful Djokovic falls at first hurdle in shock US Open exit

BREAKING: Novak Djokovic crashes out of the US Open in the first round, losing a five-set epic 7-6 5-7 4-6 6-2 6-1 to Argentina's world No 49 Mariano Navone, ending his bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title.

Novak Djokovic is out of the US Open in round one.

Beaten in five sets by Mariano Navone, the world number 49 from Argentina, 7-6 5-7 4-6 6-2 6-1. It was the longest first round match Djokovic has ever played at a Grand Slam, and it ended in tears on court at Flushing Meadows.

Look at the shape of that scoreline. He clawed back from a set down to lead two sets to one, and then the tank just emptied. Six games lost in the fourth, five in the fifth, and you can see him here, ice pack pressed to his head, a 39 year old body sending him a message.

This was supposed to be the run at a record 25th Grand Slam. Instead, the greatest resume in men's tennis just took its earliest US Open exit, and the question nobody wants to say out loud is whether we've watched his last one.

This is Liu Yang, reporting for HIT.