Djokovic Loses US Open First Round loss to Argentina’s Mariano Navone on Sunday night, falling 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a five-set marathon that lasted four hours and 36 minutes. It marked the first time in his career that Djokovic has lost in the opening round of the US Open, and his earliest exit from any Grand Slam in two decades, dating back to the 2006 Australian Open.
A Marathon Match Undone by Physical Struggles
Djokovic looked in control for much of the match, at one point serving up a break in the fourth set. But physical issues that had trailed him through much of the 2026 season resurfaced under the lights on Arthur Ashe Stadium. He threw up at least once during the match and later appeared to be cramping, grabbing at his left foot. He swallowed pills brought out by a doctor and had his lower back massaged during a medical timeout between the fourth and fifth sets.
“I think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me,” Djokovic said afterward. “It’s something that I’ve been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year, vomiting, serious issue there. And then my whole body starts to collapse, basically, cramping and pain. Yeah, the back just gave up in the end, and the shoulder, and I couldn’t close it out.”
Despite being up a break in the fourth set, Djokovic ultimately conceded that set and could not find enough in the fifth to complete what would have been the 43rd five-set comeback win of his career. He finished the match with 70 unforced errors.
The Streak That Ended
The loss snapped a run of 78 consecutive Grand Slam first-round victories for Djokovic, a streak that had stood since 2006. It also marked the first time since 2003 that none of Djokovic, Roger Federer, or Rafael Nadal reached the second round of a Grand Slam, a striking marker of generational transition in men’s tennis. Djokovic will also fall out of the ATP top 10 for the first time in eight years as a result of the early exit.
Despite the difficult outcome, Djokovic acknowledged the crowd’s response as one of the match’s few bright spots. “How I felt with my body and playing, it was really not enjoyable, and I pretty much despised every moment that I spent on the court for that,” he said. “But the love and appreciation they (the crowd) gave me in the end really touched my heart.”
Navone’s Career-Defining Upset
For Navone, a 25-year-old from Argentina and the world No. 49, the win was the biggest of his career. He had never previously won a five-set match and was playing his first-ever match on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Navone, who said he idolized Djokovic growing up, had also won his first career ATP singles title earlier this year.
“It was very tough for me because you are playing with the ‘GOAT’ on this court,” Navone said. “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?” He called the win “a dream come true” and now advances to a second-round matchup against 2016 US Open champion Stan Wawrinka or Matteo Berrettini.
What This Means for Djokovic’s Grand Slam Future
The defeat raises fresh questions about Djokovic’s path forward in Grand Slam tennis. At 39 and still chasing what would be a record-breaking 25th major title, the recurring physical issues he described, illness, cramping, and back problems, have now shown up repeatedly across his 2026 season matches, based on his own comments after the loss. Whether this marks a turning point in how he approaches future majors remains an open question that will likely follow him into his next tournament appearances.
Broader Implications
Results like this one are a reminder of how physically demanding modern Grand Slam tennis has become, even for the sport’s most accomplished competitors, and it’s a storyline likely to shape coverage of Djokovic’s next tournament appearances. For more sports coverage, visit The Tech Marketer.
What Happens Next
Mariano Navone advances to face either Stan Wawrinka or Matteo Berrettini in the second round of the US Open. Djokovic’s schedule beyond this tournament has not been publicly detailed. This article will be updated with further reporting on the tournament and any statements regarding Djokovic’s upcoming schedule.
Latest Updates
ESPN, CNN, and Yahoo Sports all published matching match reports within hours of the Sunday night finish, drawing on the same AP wire report. Roland-Garros’ official site added tournament context published August 31, including Navone’s next-round matchup and broader first-day storylines from the tournament.
Note on sourcing: the submitted New York Times/Athletic link was blocked on direct fetch. Coverage has been verified through ESPN, CNN, Yahoo Sports, and Roland-Garros’ official site, all of which report the same match details.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who did Novak Djokovic lose to at the 2026 US Open?
Djokovic lost to Argentina’s Mariano Navone, the world No. 49, in five sets in the first round.
2. What was the final score of the Djokovic vs. Navone match?
Navone won 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a match lasting four hours and 36 minutes.
3. Was this Djokovic’s earliest Grand Slam exit in years?
Yes. It was his first-ever first-round loss at the US Open and his earliest Grand Slam exit in 20 years, since the 2006 Australian Open.
4. What physical issues did Djokovic experience during the match?
Djokovic dealt with vomiting, cramping, and back and shoulder pain, and required a medical timeout between the fourth and fifth sets.
5. Who does Mariano Navone play next?
Navone advances to face either 2016 US Open champion Stan Wawrinka or Matteo Berrettini in the second round.
Sources and References
- Associated Press, “Novak Djokovic upset by Mariano Navone in US Open 1st round,” ESPN, August 31, 2026 — https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/49779598/novak-djokovic-loses-5-set-marathon-mariano-navone-us-open-first-round
- Alex Sharp, “ATP/WTA: Djokovic suffers US Open exit, Parry joins title club,” Roland-Garros 2026 Official Site, August 31, 2026 — https://www.rolandgarros.com/en-us/article/atp-wta-djokovic-us-open-first-round-buse-winston-salem-parry-monterrey-titles
