NEW YORK -- Novak Djokovic double-faulted, then shook his right arm and grimaced.Seconds later, a weak serve produced a wince from the US Opens defending champion, then was followed by a missed forehand that gave away a set -- the first set dropped by Djokovic in the first round of any Grand Slam tournament since 2010.While he managed to emerge with a 6-3, 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 victory Monday night over Jerzy Janowicz of Poland, there were plenty of signs of trouble, starting with a visit from a trainer who massaged Djokovics bothersome arm after only five games.Asked about his health during an on-court interview, Djokovic deflected the question, saying, I dont think its necessary to talk about this now. Im through. Im taking it day by day.When the subject arose at his news conference, Djokovic again avoided addressing the topic, saying the trainers visit was just prevention; its all good.During the match, Djokovic hit first serves around 100 mph, sometimes slower -- 25 mph or so below whats normal for him. He hit second serves in the low 80s. He flexed that right arm, the one he has used to wield a racket on the way to 12 Grand Slam titles, and appeared generally unhappy, covering his head with a white towel at changeovers.Djokovics coach, Boris Becker, gnawed on his fingernails, looking as nervous as can be.All in all, Djokovics issues figure to loom large as the tournament progresses and were the most noteworthy development on a Day 1 at Flushing Meadows that did include drama elsewhere.There was 20th-seeded John Isners comeback from two sets down to edge 18-year-old Frances Tiafoe before a rowdy, standing-room-only crowd at the new Grandstand. And 26th-seeded Jack Socks five-set victory over 18-year-old Taylor Fritz in another all-American matchup.In other earlier matches, 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic beat 108th-ranked Rogerio Dutra Silva 6-4, 7-5, 6-1, despite posting more unforced errors than winners (24-23). Britains Kyle Edmund, in his US Open debut, upset 13th-seeded Richard Gasquet 6-2, 6-2, 6-3.This was the No. 1-ranked Djokovics first match at a major since losing to Sam Querrey in the third round of Wimbledon, which ended the Serbs bid for a calendar-year Grand Slam after titles at the Australian Open and French Open. He exited the Rio Olympics in the first round this month, then sat out the Cincinnati Masters because of a sore left wrist.After all Ive been through in the last couple of weeks, its pleasing, of course, to finish the match and win it, said Djokovic, who lost to his next opponent, Jiri Vesely, at Monte Carlo in April. Look, each day presents us some kind of challenges that we need to overcome, accept and overcome.The left wrist appeared to be just fine against Janowicz, a former top-20 player who reached the semifinals at Wimbledon in 2013 and is now ranked 247th after his own series of injuries.Earlier in Arthur Ashe Stadium, Rafael Nadal stood near the net after winning his first Grand Slam match in three months -- 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 against Denis Istomin -- and unraveled the thick wrap of white tape protecting his all-important left wrist. He said hes still not back to hitting his forehand the way he does when hes at his best.Nadals afternoon match was played with the new $150 million retractable roof open under a blue sky, while offering some extra shade on a day when the temperature reached 90 degrees.The good news, Nadal said afterward, is that the pain is gone from his wrist, which whips those violent, topspin-heavy forehands that are the key to his success -- 14 of his 21 winners came off that wing.The bad news for Nadal?He still is working on feeling comfortable hitting down-the-line forehands, after sitting out -- not just zero real matches, but barely any practice, either -- from his withdrawal at the French Open in late May to the Olympics.Not easy to go 2? months out of competition, in the middle of the season, without hitting a forehand, Nadal said. I need to have the confidence again with my wrist.Both Nadal and his coach, his uncle Toni Nadal, described the way Rafael changed the way he hits a forehand during the Rio Games to try to avoid pain.Both said things are improving.But as Toni noted: We need a little time.Istomin, ranked 107th, was not likely to give Nadal much of a test. So what did he think of Nadals play Monday?For the first set, I was feeling that he was not hitting hard, Istomin said. A lot of short balls.Nadals summation of his day: Not very good, not very bad.The Associated Press contributed to this report. Original Puma Shoes Wholesale . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season. Cheap Puma Shoes Online Australia . DAmigo scored twice in regulation and added the shootout winner as the Toronto Marlies edged the San Antonio Rampage 5-4 in American Hockey League action. http://www.cheapaustraliapuma.com/ . -- The Magic have their first victory of the new year. Puma Shoes Discount Sale . Third-seeded Murray had the easiest path to victory on New Years Eve, barely breaking a sweat during his 6-0, 6-0 win over 2,129th-ranked Qatari wildcard recipient Mousa Shanan Zayed. Cheap Puma Shoes Australia . The defence is doing its part, too. Drew Brees threw a pair of touchdown passes in the first half and the guys on the other side made sure that was enough, sending the Saints to a 17-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. HOOVER, Ala. -- In a story July 11 about issues in the Southeastern Conference, The Associated Press reported erroneously that SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said this about potential guidelines on time demands for college athletes: I know that we will have continuing conversations around those issues. I wont predict outcomes. And well see if that leads to a statement, first from this conference, and if we collectively should say things. I think that might be the next step. Sankey was talking about potential eligibility standards for incoming recruits with serious misconduct issues.A corrected version of the story is below:SECs Greg Sankey: `We weep, we mourn for shooting victimsSoutheastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey scrapped much of his planned speech at the leagues annual media days to decry the wave of shootings across the countryBy DAVID BRANDTAP Sports WriterHOOVER, Ala. -- Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey scrapped much of his planned speech at the leagues annual media days to decry the wave of shootings across the country.This is one of those times in our nation where we weep, we mourn, for those families and cities who have experienced loss, Sankey said.Sankey said the shooting in Dallas that killed five police officers was particularly personal because he lived in the city for 11 years. One of the SECs schools, LSU, is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which is where Alton Sterling was killed by police after being pinned to the pavement by two white officers.He hoped the SEC -- and sports in general -- could provide a bridge in understanding during social strife.Sports brings people together, Sankey said. I think our universities do as well, and we need to be mindful and attentive to that reality and the opportunities associated with that reality.Vanderbilt linebacker Oren Burks agreed that football gives athletes a unique platform.I feel that its terrible to see innocent people killed for no reason, Burks said. Whether its African-Americans or cops, it doesnt matter. We need to have a sense of honor and respect for human life. I feel like thats basically all that needs to be said.Sankey also paid tribute to the late Pat Summitt. Tennesssees Hall of Fame womens basketball coach died last month at 64, more than five years after being diagnosed with early onset dementia, Alzheimers type.ddddddddddddPat was a pillar of the Southeastern Conference, Sankey said. Shes on par with many of the great names, may have set the standard for all of the great names that are a part of this conference. Her impact is felt every day in the lives of the young people she mentored.The leagues 14 teams will conduct interviews throughout the week in Hoover.Here are some other league issues that Sankey addressed on Monday:- Sankey said he believes the league is doing very well in NCAA rules compliance, noting that in August, there was no league school under NCAA probation for the first time since 1984.But with Mississippi and Missouri both under current NCAA investigation, thats likely to change soon.We hope both of the current matters are completed in a timely manner, Sankey said. We understand there are issues that arise. Thats why the expectation for integrity is so high. And as we move forward together, we cant have any more of those issues.- The commissioner said he wasnt sure if the Power Five conferences, including the ACC, SEC, Big 12, Big Ten and Pac-12, would come together to issue some sort of eligibility guidelines for incoming recruits with serious misconduct issues.I know that we will have continuing conversations around those issues, Sankey said. I wont predict outcomes. And well see if that leads to a statement, first from this conference, and if we collectively should say things. I think that might be the next step.- The commissioner paid tribute to several other longtime SEC figures who have recently announced their retirement, including Florida and South Carolina football coach Steve Spurrier, and Florida athletics director Jeremy Foley.Sankey also praised longtime broadcaster Verne Lundquist, whose last season calling SEC games will be this fall.-----Visit the APs college football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org .---Follow David Brandt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/davidbrandtAP ' ' '