NEW YORK — Novak Djokovic’s pursuit of tennis history came to a stunning and painful halt Sunday night as Argentine Mariano Navone defeated the 24-time Grand Slam champion in the first round of the 2026 US Open, handing the Serbian icon his first opening-round loss ever at Flushing Meadows.
Navone prevailed 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a grueling four-hour, 36-minute marathon, completing one of the biggest upsets of the tournament and bringing Djokovic’s bid for a record 25th Grand Slam singles title to an abrupt end.
For Djokovic, a four-time US Open champion, the defeat was historic for all the wrong reasons.
It marked his earliest exit from a Grand Slam tournament in 20 years, dating back to the 2006 Australian Open, while ending a remarkable record of never having lost a first-round match at the US Open.
A Stunning Collapse After Djokovic Took Control
The match began with familiar signs of Djokovic’s fighting spirit. After dropping a tightly contested opening set, the Serbian veteran battled back to win the second and third sets, appearing to take control of the contest under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium.
But the momentum did not last.
As the physically demanding match wore on, Djokovic appeared increasingly troubled by physical discomfort. Multiple reports described the 39-year-old struggling through the match, with signs of exhaustion and medical attention during the contest. Djokovic was also reported to have dealt with back discomfort, while the brutal conditions and length of the match took a visible toll.
Navone, however, refused to fade.
The Argentine kept applying pressure and capitalized as Djokovic’s level dropped dramatically in the final two sets. Navone stormed through the fourth set before sealing the biggest victory of his career with a dominant 6-1 finish in the decider.
Djokovic committed 70 unforced errors, according to Associated Press reporting, in a performance that showed just how difficult the night had become for one of tennis’ greatest competitors.
Navone Delivers the Biggest Win of His Career
For Mariano Navone, the victory represents a career-defining moment.
Facing one of the most decorated players in tennis history on the sport’s biggest stages, the Argentine showed remarkable composure and endurance over nearly five hours. Rather than being intimidated by Djokovic’s reputation or the atmosphere inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, Navone stayed in the fight and became stronger as the match reached its decisive stages.
The result also highlights the unforgiving reality of Grand Slam tennis: even the sport’s greatest champions can be vulnerable when physical problems, fatigue and a fearless opponent collide.
Djokovic’s Historic Quest Put on Hold
Djokovic arrived in New York chasing a fifth US Open crown and what would have been a historic 25th Grand Slam singles title, a milestone that would give him sole possession of the all-time record.
Instead, his campaign ended on the tournament’s opening night.
The loss is especially surprising considering Djokovic’s remarkable history at the US Open. Before this defeat, the Serbian had built a 95-15 record at Flushing Meadows, winning titles in 2011, 2014, 2018 and 2023.
He had also entered the tournament after a season in which he continued to prove that he could compete at the highest level despite the physical challenges that come with being one of the oldest elite players on tour.
But questions about Djokovic’s fitness had followed him into New York. He had recently suffered an early exit in Cincinnati, where he acknowledged difficulties dealing with heat and humidity. In the days leading up to the US Open, the challenge was clear: could his 39-year-old body survive another demanding two weeks of best-of-five-set tennis?
Sunday night provided a brutal answer—at least for this tournament.
What Does This Mean for Djokovic?
One defeat does not erase a career that has redefined men’s tennis.
Djokovic remains the owner of 24 Grand Slam singles titles and one of the most successful athletes in the history of the sport. But this loss will inevitably intensify discussion about how much longer he can withstand the physical demands of competing against younger players over five sets.
Before the tournament, Djokovic had pushed back against retirement speculation, insisting that he still believed he could compete with the world’s best.
And based on his achievements this season, that belief was not without foundation.
Yet his emotional and physically draining exit from the US Open serves as another reminder that history’s greatest players eventually face an opponent no amount of experience can completely defeat: time.
For now, Djokovic’s dream of Grand Slam title No. 25 will have to wait.
And for Mariano Navone, one unforgettable night in New York has changed the story of his career forever.
The biggest question now is whether this was simply a shocking upset—or a sign that a new chapter is beginning in Novak Djokovic’s legendary career.
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