Novak Djokovic loses in opening round of US Open for first time, falling in 5 sets to Mariano Navone
Djokovic Falls in US Open Opening Round
Activelifezero.com – Novak Djokovic loses in opening round for the first time in his two-decade career, dropping a five-set battle to Argentina’s Mariano Navone on Sunday night. The 39-year-old Serbian, who carries a record 24 Grand Slam singles titles, fell 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a contest that stretched four hours and 36 minutes before midnight. It was the earliest exit of his professional career, matching only his 2006 Australian Open first-round departure.
The timing carried an almost cruel symmetry: the defeat landed exactly 21 years to the day of Djokovic’s US Open debut. What was supposed to be another chapter in a story defined by longevity instead forced the question of whether this might have been his final appearance at this tournament, or at any major championship.
A Body Running on Empty
Seeded No. 4, Djokovic surged to early leads of 3-0 and 4-1 in the opening set before surrendering both and losing the tiebreak. The physical cost was unmistakable. He vomited at least once mid-match, later clutched his left foot in apparent cramping, and required a medical timeout between the fourth and fifth sets. A doctor administered medication and a lower-back massage while Djokovic grimaced after several strokes.
He committed 70 unforced errors across the five sets. The cumulative effect of illness and pain left him unable to close out what would have been his 43rd career five-set victory.
“I didn’t enjoy myself. I think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me.”
In his post-match remarks, Djokovic described a recurring problem that has shadowed his matches all season.
“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 from the fourth game onward the experience became one of sustained discomfort.
“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 Converts the Moment
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, showed no signs of intimidation beneath the lights of tennis’s biggest stage. He weathered Djokovic’s brief surges, absorbed the frustration of a player operating below capacity, and converted his opportunity. The victory marked Navone’s first five-set win on tour.
“(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?”
A Pattern of Early Exits
The US Open loss extended a troubling run. Earlier that month, Djokovic had also been knocked out 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 departing for New York he had expressed cautious optimism that the Cincinnati exit afforded additional preparation time, while simultaneously acknowledging that opening-round matches had grown increasingly difficult for him in recent seasons.
With his wife Jelena watching from the stands, her expression tight with concern, Djokovic did produce flashes of former brilliance. A reserved fist pump followed his second-set rescue, and he cupped his hand to his ear, inviting applause as he moved toward the third set. Yet those moments were isolated islands in an ocean of physical struggle. After firing a shot wide in the fourth set, he landed awkwardly and dropped his racket, a gesture that all but conceded the set.
Following the final point, Djokovic said he was “trying to address really what’s going on and how far I can go this way.” The answer, for now, remains uncertain. A career built on perpetual reinvention now confronts the possibility that the body’s ledger has finally come due, and the question of what comes next hangs over the sport’s most decorated figure.
FAQ
When did Novak Djokovic lose in the opening round of the US Open? He was eliminated on Sunday night, August 31, 2026, in a five-set match against Mariano Navone.
What was the score of the match? Navone won 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in four hours and 36 minutes.
Is this the first time Djokovic has lost in the first round of a Grand Slam? Yes. It is the earliest exit of his career, matching only his 2006 Australian Open first-round departure.
What physical issues did Djokovic describe? He cited recurring vomiting, cramping, lower-back pain, and shoulder discomfort that he said have affected him in nearly every match this season.
What is Navone’s record after this win? The victory was his first five-set win on the ATP Tour and his second win over a top-10 opponent this season.
