Djokovic’s US Open Campaign Ends in Stunning First-Round Defeat

Novak Djokovic suffered one of the most unexpected defeats of his remarkable career at the 2026 US Open, falling to Argentina’s Mariano Navone in the opening round at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The Serbian star was beaten 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a marathon match lasting four hours and 36 minutes. The result marked the first time Djokovic had lost his opening match at the US Open and his earliest Grand Slam exit since the 2006 Australian Open.

Djokovic Struggled Physically

The biggest factor in the match appeared to be Djokovic’s physical condition. The 39-year-old experienced vomiting, cramping and pain in his back and shoulder during the contest.

Djokovic received medical attention during the match and struggled to maintain his movement and consistency as the contest went deeper. He later explained that he had been dealing with similar physical problems during matches this season.

Despite those difficulties, Djokovic continued fighting and managed to take the second and third sets after losing the opening set. He even led in the fourth set before his physical problems became increasingly difficult to overcome.

Navone Refuses to Back Down

Mariano Navone deserves significant credit for the victory. The 25-year-old Argentine remained composed despite facing one of the most successful players in tennis history.

After Djokovic moved ahead two sets to one, Navone continued applying pressure. He eventually took control of the fourth set before dominating the deciding set 6-1.

For Navone, the victory represents the biggest achievement of his career. The Argentine entered the match as an underdog but showed the confidence and resilience required to defeat Djokovic on one of tennis’ biggest stages.

A Historic US Open Record Comes to an End

Djokovic had built an extraordinary record at the US Open, including four championships and a long history of reaching the latter stages of the tournament.

This defeat ended his pursuit of another major title and also stopped his attempt to add to his record collection of Grand Slam championships.

The loss is particularly significant because Djokovic had never previously been eliminated in the first round at the US Open. His previous first-round Grand Slam defeat came at the 2006 Australian Open.

What Comes Next for Djokovic?

The defeat has naturally raised questions about Djokovic’s future at the Grand Slam level. However, the Serbian did not announce his retirement after the match.

Instead, he said he was trying to understand his physical problems and determine how far he can continue playing under those circumstances.

Djokovic also thanked the New York crowd for their support, saying the fans helped him through the difficult moments despite his struggles on court.

For now, the 2026 US Open will be remembered as a remarkable upset: Navone produced the biggest win of his career, while Djokovic experienced an unfamiliar early exit from a tournament where he has created so much history.