Novak Djokovic lost in the first round of a Grand Slam for the first time in two decades as the 39-year-old reigning Olympic champion was beaten by Mariano Navone of Argentina in a five-set marathon at the US Open on Sunday (30 August).
No. 4 seed Djokovic was stunned 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a punishing four hours and 36 minutes of tennis at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The 24-times Grand Slam champion had never lost in the opening round at the US Open, and fell at the first hurdle of a major for the first time since the 2006 Australian Open where he was shocked by an unheralded Paul Goldstein.
Djokovic was a shade of what he could be, throwing up and needing medical attention to treat his left foot and lower back. He had made 70 unforced errors before the match came to an end shortly before midnight.
“I think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me,” Djokovic told reporters. “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.”
The 25-year-old Navone, in stark contrast, was over the moon after defeating his boyhood idol under the bright lights of New York City.
“For sure it’s the best thing I’ve had on court,” Navone said. “This is an amazing court and the biggest stage. I’m very happy. I don’t know. What can I say?”
The defeat will drop Djokovic out of the top 10 in the ATP rankings for the first time since July 2018. This season at Grand Slams, the Serbian reached the final in Melbourne, lost in the third round at the French Open and made it to the Wimbledon semi-finals.
read more: https://www.olympics.com/en/news/tennis-us-open-2026-novak-djokovic
