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Shock exit for tearful Djokovic

Juan Martin del Potro’s day began getting stuck in an elevator but finished on a high note, beating the best tennis player in the world, Novak Djokovic, 76 (4), 76 (2) in the first round of the Rio Olympics tennis event. “It’s obviously very sad and disappointing on my side to go out in a tournament this early, but on the other hand, I’m glad a good friend of mine, and somebody who has struggled a lot the last couple years with injuries, is back and plays at this level”.

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True to the spirit of the Games, it was the Argentinian handball team that came to del Potro’s rescue, bailing him out in time enough to prepare for his headlining match. Suffice it to say, Djokovic should probably avoid any Olympics match in his future-assuming he has another one in him-if he knows del Potro is in his draw.

Despite being a former US Open Champion, Del Potro would not have been expected to provide too much trouble for Djokovic.

Juan del Potro was also an emotional wreck as he was literally sobbing, but these were tears of joy.

There is still a shot at gold in doubles in Rio – he and Nenad Zimonjic are into the second round – but as for singles, Djokovic will be 33 by the time Tokyo hosts the 2020 Olympics.

“The wounds are still fresh”, Djokovic said. “But the Olympic Games, yeah, it’s completely different”, he told reporters.

It was the third straight Olympic loss for Djokovic and his first opening round tournament exit since 2009.

After losing out in the women’s singles to Kirsten Flipkens, Venus Williams lost out in the doubles with sister Serena.

Also chasing a repeat in singles: Serena Williams, who was the only No. 1 seed with a victory Sunday, albeit a patchy one, 6-4, 6-2 against Australia’s Daria Gavrilova in singles.

“I felt once again I had the capability to play against the best in the world”.

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After he and Jamie wasted five set points in the second tiebreaker of their 7-6 (6), 7-6 (14) loss against Brazil’s Thomaz Bellucci and Andre Sa, Andy said he would skip mixed doubles and let his brother play with Jo Konta.

Djokovic crashes out in first round of 2016 Rio Games