Novak Djokovic suffered a stunning first-round defeat at the 2026 US Open after losing to Argentina’s Mariano Navone in a five-set thriller on Sunday night.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion was beaten 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 by the world No. 49 at Arthur Ashe Stadium in a match that lasted four hours and 36 minutes.
The defeat ended Djokovic’s remarkable run of 78 consecutive Grand Slam first-round victories and marked his first opening-round exit at a major since the 2006 Australian Open.
Djokovic had recovered from losing the opening set to take a 2-1 lead, but his physical struggles became increasingly evident as the match progressed. The Serbian required medical attention and struggled with vomiting, cramps and back and shoulder problems before eventually fading in the final two sets.
Navone, 25, held his nerve to complete the biggest victory of his career and advance to the second round of the tournament.
The result also ended Djokovic’s latest attempt to win a record 25th Grand Slam singles title and means he will not add to his four US Open titles this year.
Djokovic’s first-round exit is only the third time in his career that he has failed to progress beyond the opening round of a Grand Slam, following defeats at the 2005 and 2006 Australian Opens.
