Novak Djokovic exited a match in tears in the first round of the 2026 US Open, bowing out with a heavy defeat to Argentina’s Mariano Navone in a gruelling five-setter at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Djokovic is one fewer tournament nickname than when he won a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title, which he was now trying to win.
The 39-year-old Serbian winner, four-time US Open champion and 24 Grand Slam title winner, was outed after four hours and 36 minutes, suffering a seven-and-a-half-hour loss to the 15-8 march in the finals of the 1996 Australian Open. Navone, ranked outside the top 40, produced the biggest victory of his career to send one of tennis’ greatest players out at the opening hurdle.
Djokovic had trouble with his form on the court during the match. As the game went on, he experienced some cramps as well as back and shoulder difficulties and was upset by two or three vomits during the game. Djokovic went on to take a 2-1 lead in sets, but his stamina took a hit and Navone took over the last two sets.
The defeat is especially sharp as Djokovic pulled up the first opening-round marker to go against a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open, after which he enjoyed an amazing two-decade-plus hall of fame run. It also marks his third straight round of failure to come through the first round of a major.
It’s a career-defining moment for Navone. The Argentine kept his cool at the hands of Djokovic, the 24-time major champion and neutralized his physical obstacles to an exceptional upset.
With his early retirement also comes further questions about Djokovic’s future ability to stay at the top of the sport as he gets into his old age.
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