US Open 2026: Novak Djokovic exits in first round shock
Thirty-nine-year-old Novak Djokovic suffered a shock first-round defeat to Mariano Navone at the 2026 US Open, his earliest Grand Slam exit since 2006.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Novak Djokovic lost to Mariano Navone 7-6, 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in the US Open 2026 first round.
- This marks Djokovic's first opening-round defeat at a Grand Slam since 2006.
- The 39-year-old great struggled physically and with nausea throughout the exhausting match.
Novak Djokovic suffered a historic first-round exit at the 2026 US Open after a draining defeat to Argentina's Mariano Navone at Flushing Meadows. The 24-time Grand Slam champion fell 7-6 (7-5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 to the 25-year-old world number 49, providing clear evidence that age is catching up with the 39-year-old tennis great.
Throughout the intense and demanding encounter, the fourth-seeded Serb fought through severe physical distress, at one point vomiting into a towel bin during a changeover. The stunning defeat ended Djokovic's flawless record of 19 consecutive first-round victories at the US Open and marked his earliest exit from a major tournament since 2006.
Despite showing class by managing a smile while congratulating Navone on the biggest win of his career, a disconsolate Djokovic appeared close to tears as he trudged back to the locker room. The loss effectively halts his latest pursuit of a standalone record 25th Grand Slam singles title, keeping him tied with Australia's Margaret Court.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
An opening-round exit in a Grand Slam is an exceptionally rare occurrence for a player of Djokovic's caliber. This defeat underscores not only the mounting physical challenges faced by aging athletes but also the punishing nature of humid conditions at major hard-court tournaments, which can drastically impact stamina and recovery times during grueling late-night sessions.
Djokovic's physical struggles began early in the opening set after an energy-sapping long rally in the seventh game. Visibly flustered, he called for the doctor after the ninth set for tablets to alleviate his discomfort as his serve and groundstroke speeds dropped significantly. Although the cooling conditions under the Arthur Ashe Stadium roof temporarily revived him to level the match, his waning stamina eventually gave way as Navone dominated the final sets.
"Novak Djokovic fought valiantly until the end, but his physical limitations proved too much to overcome on this humid night."
BBC Sport Tennis Reporter
Source: BBC Sport
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