Novak Djokovic hit the wall as the 24-time Grand Slam winner vomited at the back of the court and was treated by the trainer during a disheartening first round loss which ended early Monday morning on opening day of the US Open.

The 39-year-old Serb fell ill – he said things have been this way for weeks – as he took a loss to Mariano Navone 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.

In addition to his stomach problems, the ailing Serb was seen by the trainer, the doctor and used an inhaler as he complained of cramping and general poor health during a stress test lasting nearly four and three-quarter hours.

The defeat came a fortnight after Djokovic was knocked out in his opening match in Cincinnati after reaching a Wimbledon semi-final.

“It was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me. It’s something I’ve been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year,” Djokovic said early Monday.

“Vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there. Then my whole body starts to collapse, basically cramping and pain. 

“The back just gave up in the end and shoulder, and I couldn’t close it out.

He added: “I was up a break up in the fourth, but just struggled all the way since the fourth game of the match. Congrats to him. He’s a nice guy, a fighter.

But, you know, I didn’t enjoy myself.”

The disappointing end was Djokovic’s earliest Grand Slam exit in two decades and cut off a run of 78 Grand Slam first-round victories going back to a loss to Paul Goldstein at the 2006 Australian Open.

“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,” Djokovic said.

“I’m very sorry that I, you know, didn’t perform as well as I should have or could have… but the love and appreciation they gave me in the end really touched my heart.”

Seventh seed and 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev came good after losing here a year ago in the first round, posting a  win over Hugo Gaston 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 for his 33rd victory of the season.

Montreal quarter-finalist Daniel Merida defeated Marton Fucsovic 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 to earn the fist straight-set men’s win of the fortnight.

Jiri Lehecka put out two-time semi-finalist Pablo Carreño Busta 6-1, 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-2. The win served as revenge after the veteran Spaniard beat the Czech in the Roland Garros first round.

No. 101 Dino Prizmic spent nearly four hours before completing a win over Alexander Shevchenko to advance in five sets.

The 2-6, 6-3, 6-3, 5-7, 7-5 success was hard-fought, with Prizmic leading 5-2 and serving for it in the fourth set but needing to go all the way to claim his first victory here after saving two match points.

The Croat has threatened top 10 names in the past, beating Novak Djokovic in Rome and Ben Shelton in Madrid.

Cincinnati quarter-finalist Tommy Paul recovered after losing the opening set, storming back for a 6-7 (3), 6-1, 6-3, 6-3 win over Hong Kong qualifier Coleman Wong.

Day 1 British results were mixed, with Cam Norrie going down in an upset loss to Frenchman Luca van Assche 6-7 (6), 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 while debutant Toby Samuel’s earned the biggest win of his career as he stunned Czech Tomas Machac 6-2, 6-3, 6-2.

Marta Kostyuk fulfilled a dream as she played and won her first Wimbledon match on Centre Court on Wednesday, reaching a breakthrough semi-final 6-3, 6-2 over Jasmine Paolini.

The 13th-ranked Ukrainian duplicated the defeat of compatriot Elina Svitolina who reached the final four here in 2019 and 2023.

Kostyuk said she she got slightly acquainted with the iconic high temple of tennis the day before and had only once sat in the stands nine years ago during a Roger Federer match.

“Hello Centre Court,” the winner said. “This is my first time playing on this unbelievable court. It’s a dream coming true to win – that was not in the plans.”

Kostyuk, winner of 21 of her last 22 matches, reached a second consecutive Grand Slam semi after a similar final four showing last month at Roland Garros.

“My coach made me walk the court yesterday. I was flabbergasted by what I saw. I took a moment to soak it all in.

“I’m so happy to be back here as a player.”

Kostyuk earned her 69-minute victory in 32 Celsius heatwave temperatures. “I’m sure people in London are happy with the weather, but not us here on court,” she said.

“I have to come back and play on Thursday but I’m excited about that.”

Kostyuk finished with 19 winners and the same number of unforced errors as she broke 2024 finalist Paolini four times while never facing one herself.

She will bid for the final with a semi against 21-year-old Czech Linda Noskova, who defeated veteran Belgian Elise Mertens  6-3, 7-5.

Noskova, ranked 12th, showed few nerves as she won her 11th grass match of a dozen played this summer.

The winner becomes the youngest Wimbledon semi-finalist since Jelena Ostapenko in 2018.

She owns June’s grass title in Berlin, second trophy performance of her career and claimed doubles honours for good measure.

Noskova clinched victory as Mertens put a return out on the first of three Czech match points.

The winner said that overcoming pre-match nerves always helps her to pay better.

“When I’m feeling pressure it helps me to play my best. The nerves mean that I care a lot.”

Noskova swept the opening set and earned a break for 6-5 before serving out the quarter-final. 

“I fought through some mistakes in the second set,” she said. “I could have been angry about them but I was playing really well at the end of both sets.    

“That’s what won me the match.”

Kostyuk won the pair’s only match, played last spring in the Madrid quarter-finals.

Main photo:- Marta Kostyuk winning quarter final wearing a tennis dress based on her Wedding dress -by Roger Parker/International Sports Fotos Ltd

Paula Badosa threw tennis ex-boyfriend Stefanos Tsitsipas under the bus after a Berlin match win, saying the traces relationship had her considering just quitting her sport.

Badosa reached the quarter-finals of the WTA Berlin pre-Wimbledon event and took the opportunity to unload on Greek Tsitsipas, whose game has gone into a major slump from his former top 10 standing to a dismal 80th on the ATP computer.

“You can have an excellent relationship with an ex, because they are normal people and the relationship remains normal,” the No. 142 said. 

“But when that’s not the case… I don’t need to say more. Every day we see the other person making things more complicated.

“When there are toxic things around you, everything becomes much more difficult than a normal breakup.” 

The New York-born 28-year-old Spaniard who once reached second in the world, said worrying about the relationship and its bitter end gave her pause to consider packing in her career due both in her personal life and a run of mainly

 back injuries  which contributed to her rankings plunge.

“After Madrid (late April) I had to stop (until last week); mentally it was too much for me. I couldn’t find a way to see a light (at the end of the tunnel).

“A year ago, I was in the top 10, and seeing where I am now isn’t easy. That’s the professional side. 

“On the personal side, the process hasn’t been easy either, trying to clear a lot of things from my life.”

 “I’ve been in a good environment for a few months, but getting past the toxic things around me wasn’t easy. 

“But it’s something you have to go through as a woman, and I’m feeling strong again.”

Main photo:- Badosa and Tsitsipas in happier days.