Novak Djokovic loses in opening round of US Open for first time, falling in 5 sets to Mariano Navone
Djokovic Loses in Opening Round of US Open
Healfromzero.com – Novak Djokovic loses in opening round of the US Open for the first time in twenty-one years, falling in five sets to Argentina’s Mariano Navone on Sunday night. The 39-year-old Serbian, who carries 24 Grand Slam titles, dropped the match 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a contest that stretched four hours and 36 minutes before ending just before midnight.
The result stands as the earliest exit of his career at a major since the 2006 Australian Open and marks the longest opening-round Grand Slam match he has ever contested. For two decades the streak had been unbroken; its collapse raised immediate questions about whether this signals a final chapter at the tournament or at the sport’s highest level altogether.
A Body Pushed Past Its Limits
The scoreboard told a story of physical deterioration as much as tactical breakdown. Seeded fourth, Djokovic surged to 3-0 and then 4-1 in the opening set before surrendering the lead entirely — a first-round US Open first-set collapse he had never experienced since 2006. From that point the unraveling was relentless.
At least once during the contest the record-holder vomited on court. Later he seized his left foot in what appeared to be a cramping episode. Between the fourth and fifth sets a medical timeout brought a doctor to his side; he swallowed medication and received a lower-back massage. He grimaced after multiple shots in the final set, visibly diminished.
The toll was quantified by 70 unforced errors in a performance Djokovic himself described as painful. His wife Jelena watched from the stands with expressions of clear concern as her husband moved through a match he said he despised minute by minute.
“I didn’t enjoy myself. I think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me.”
Speaking after the defeat, Djokovic opened up about a recurring physical problem that had shadowed his year:
“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.”
He added that the struggle began early and never abated:
“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.”
Navone’s Dream Come True
On the other side of the net stood a 25-year-old Argentine who had claimed his first ATP singles title earlier in the year. Navone, who grew up idolizing Djokovic, did not flinch under the pressure of facing the sport’s all-time great. He converted his opportunities with composure, ultimately claiming what he called his first five-set victory and described as a dream realized.
“(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?”
Navone’s composure contrasted sharply with Djokovic’s visible frustration. After a wide shot in the fourth set the Serbian landed awkwardly and dropped his racket — a moment that signaled how close to concession the set already was. He salvaged the fourth but could not generate enough energy for a fifth-set fight that would have produced his 43rd five-set win.
An Uncertain Horizon
The US Open loss did not arrive in isolation. Earlier that month Djokovic had also been eliminated in the first round at the Cincinnati hardcourt event, his first competitive action since falling to world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon semifinals. Before arriving in New York he had expressed cautious optimism that the Cincinnati exit afforded additional preparation time. That hope proved misplaced.
After Sunday’s defeat Djokovic offered no definitive answer about his future at the sport’s highest level:
“I’m trying to address really what’s going on and how far I can go this way.”
The question now hangs over a career that has redefined the boundaries of longevity in elite tennis. At 39, with 24 majors and a record that will likely stand for generations, Djokovic enters an uncertain period shaped by cumulative physical strain and recurring illness.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Djokovic last lose a first-round match at a Grand Slam? His previous earliest exit at a major came at the 2006 Australian Open, making the 2026 US Open result a gap of twenty years.
How long did the match last? The contest stretched four hours and 36 minutes, making it the longest opening-round Grand Slam match Djokovic has ever played.
What physical issues did Djokovic describe after the match? He cited recurring vomiting, whole-body cramping, lower-back failure, and shoulder pain — problems he said had affected him in nearly every match that year.
What was the final score? Navone won 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.
Has Djokovic announced retirement or a break? No. He said he is “trying to address really what’s going on and how far I can go this way,” leaving his future at the tour open.
