Novak Djokovic loses in opening round of US Open for first time, falling in 5 sets to Mariano Navone

Novak Djokovic loses in opening round at US Open

Earthguardiansonline.com – Novak Djokovic loses in opening round for the first time in twenty-one years, and the collapse came in the most agonizing fashion possible. On Sunday night at the U.S. Open, the 39-year-old Serbian four-time defending champion fell in five sets to 25-year-old Argentine Mariano Navone, 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, in a contest lasting four hours and 36 minutes that stretched past midnight. Navone, who claimed his first ATP singles title earlier in 2026, later called the victory a dream fulfilled.

The result stands as the earliest Grand Slam departure of Djokovic’s career since the 2006 Australian Open and the longest opening-round match he has ever contested at a major. With 24 major titles already on the board, the implications of this exit are impossible to minimize. Speculation about whether this was his final Grand Slam appearance began circulating before the crowd had fully cleared the stadium.

A Body in Freefall

Physical distress was visible throughout. Djokovic vomited at least once during play and later seized his left foot in obvious cramping. A medical timeout between the fourth and fifth sets brought a doctor onto the court; the Serbian swallowed medication and received a lower-back massage before limping back for the final set. He grimaced after numerous shots and finished with 70 unforced errors, the match concluding mere minutes before midnight.

“It’s something that I’ve been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year: vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there. Then my whole body starts to collapse, basically cramping and pain. Yeah, the back just gave up in the end and shoulder, and I couldn’t close it out.”

Those remarks, offered in the post-match interview, confirm a pattern of cumulative physical deterioration that has eroded his competitive edge across the 2026 season rather than representing a single isolated incident.

Momentum Swung Five Times

Navone, who grew up idolizing Djokovic, showed no visible intimidation. The Argentine pressed early, but the No. 4 seed surged ahead with leads of 3-0 and 4-1 before unraveling and surrendering the opening set — a first-round first-set loss at the U.S. Open he had not suffered since 2006.

“Just struggled all the way since the fourth game of the match. When it comes to match itself and overall feeling of how I felt with body and playing, it was really not enjoyable. I pretty much despised every moment that I spent on the court for that.”

Flashes of former brilliance persisted. His wife Jelena watched from the stands with anxious expressions as he delivered moments of elite-level tennis. A fist pump followed his second-set victory, and he cupped his ear to the crowd while walking toward the third set. Yet those sparks proved insufficient. After firing a shot wide in the fourth set, he landed awkwardly and dropped his racket, effectively conceding that set. The fifth set, which Navone closed out 6-1, sealed the upset.

Navone’s Career-Defining Night

For Navone, the victory capped a year that opened with his maiden ATP title and culminated on tennis’ biggest stage. He acknowledged the surreal nature of defeating what he considers the greatest player ever.

“(It) was very tough for me because you are playing with the ‘GOAT’ on this court. For sure it’s the best thing I’ve had on court. This is an amazing court and the biggest stage. It’s amazing, the way we play. I mean, five sets. … I’m very happy. I don’t know. What can I say?”

The Argentine now advances to the second round of the U.S. Open, carrying momentum from a performance that will define his career narrative.

An Uncertain Horizon

The Cincinnati hardcourt tournament earlier this month had already produced a first-round Djokovic exit, his first competitive action since falling to world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon semifinals. On Saturday before the U.S. Open, Djokovic had expressed cautious optimism that the Cincinnati early departure afforded additional preparation time. That hope proved misplaced. Meanwhile, Sinner himself withdrew from the U.S. Open with a knee injury, removing the very opponent who had ended Djokovic’s Wimbledon run. The absence of that rivalry from the New York draw eliminates one potential late-stage test but does little to ease the broader question now hanging over the sport: whether this was the final chapter of a career that reshaped tennis for two decades.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Novak Djokovic last lose in the opening round of a Grand Slam? Before this result, his earliest major exit since 2006 had been a second-round departure. The 2006 Australian Open remains the last time he lost in round one at a major before this U.S. Open upset.