Serbian tennis great Novak Djokovic suffered a stunning first-round defeat at the 2026 US Open on Sunday, ending his latest attempt to claim a record 25th Grand Slam title. The 39-year-old was beaten by unseeded Argentine Mariano Navone in a gruelling five-set battle at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Navone prevailed 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a contest that lasted four hours and 36 minutes. The Argentine produced the biggest victory of his career by overturning Djokovic’s early advantage and maintaining his composure through a tense deciding set.
- Novak Djokovic suffered a shock first-round exit at the US Open, losing to unseeded Argentine Mariano Navone 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.
- This marks Djokovic’s earliest departure from a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open, ending his bid for a record 25th major title.
- Djokovic, 39, struggled with a back issue and vomited during the match, visibly emotional before Navone secured the victory.
- Mariano Navone, world number 49, celebrated the biggest win of his career, calling it a ‘dream come true’ to defeat the ‘GOAT’.
- The gruelling match lasted four hours and 36 minutes, with Navone holding his nerve in the deciding set.
Djokovic started strongly in humid conditions, taking a 3-0 lead in the opening set. However, Navone fought his way back to level the score at 4-4. A brief rain interruption followed, with the roof of the main court closed at Flushing Meadows before play resumed.
The four-time US Open managed to regain control in the second set and later moved ahead after taking the third. However, physical problems increasingly affected his performance. Djokovic was seen vomiting into a courtside bin during the third set and later struggled with his serve as a back issue appeared to limit his movement and effectiveness.
Navone capitalised on Djokovic’s difficulties in the fourth set, securing the break he needed to level the match. The 25-year-old then remained composed in the deciding set, while Djokovic’s physical struggles became increasingly evident.
The defeat marks Djokovic’s earliest US Open exit and his first loss in the opening round of a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open.
Djokovic, who entered the tournament after an early defeat to Thiago Agustin Tirante in Cincinnati, had faced questions over his form and fitness ahead of his 20th US Open appearance.
Navone, meanwhile, described the victory as a dream moment after defeating a player he regards as the greatest of all time. The Argentine said the five-set win over Djokovic was an experience he would cherish, while admitting he now needed to recover after the late-night marathon.
Djokovic was visibly emotional as Navone moved towards victory and was seen in tears shortly before the Argentine completed one of the biggest upsets of the tournament.