On a night of shocks at the Olympic Tennis Centre in Rio de Janeiro, world no.1 Novak Djokovic left centre court in tears after crashing out in the first round of the men’s singles, losing 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-2) to Juan Martin Del Potro.
Both players were crying, Argentina’s Del Potro at the sheer scale of his victory – three wrist surgeries that had him contemplating retirement have seen him drop to 141st in the world – while
Djokovic’s desire to win a first Olympic gold medal must wait at least another four years, when the Serb will be 33.
Djokvic claimed bronze at the Beijing 2008 Games and lost the bronze medal match – to Del Potro – four years later in London.
Del Potro is ranked 141st in the world.
