By Enitan Abdultawab
Novak Djokovic has suffered a shock first-round exit at the 2026 US Open after losing to Argentina’s Mariano Navone in a gruelling five-set encounter at Flushing Meadows.
The 39-year-old Serbian, who was targeting a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title, was defeated 7-6 (7-5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 by the world No. 49 in a match that lasted four hours and 36 minutes.
The defeat marked Djokovic’s earliest exit from a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open and the longest first-round match of his Grand Slam career.
Navone, who had never previously beaten Djokovic, also secured his first victory over a top-10 player at a Grand Slam with the win.
The Argentine recovered strongly after falling two sets to one behind, taking advantage of Djokovic’s physical struggles to win the final two sets 6-2, 6-1.
Djokovic appeared to be battling severe physical problems throughout the contest, vomiting several times and struggling with cramping and movement in the humid conditions in New York.
Speaking after the match, Djokovic admitted that he found the experience extremely difficult.
“I didn’t enjoy myself. I think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me,” he said.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion revealed that the physical problems were not new and had affected him during several matches this year.
“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 started to collapse, basically cramping and pain,” Djokovic said.
“The back just gave up in the end and shoulder, and I couldn’t close it out. Can the issue be fixed? I don’t know. I’m trying, man. I’m trying. Let’s see.”
Djokovic had entered the match with a 42-12 record in five-set Grand Slam matches, while Navone had lost all four of his previous five-set encounters.
However, the Serbian struggled badly in the closing stages and made 70 unforced errors as Navone completed the biggest victory of his career.
Djokovic also admitted that his body had been struggling from early in the contest.
“I was a break up in the fourth, but just struggled all the way since the fourth game of the match,” he said.
While acknowledging Navone’s achievement, Djokovic said the match was particularly difficult for him physically.
“I don’t want to take too much out of his win. Congrats to him. He’s a nice guy, a fighter. But, you know, I didn’t enjoy myself,” he added.
“When it comes to the match itself and the overall feeling of how I felt with my body and playing, it was really not enjoyable. I pretty much despised every moment that I spent on the court for that.”
The defeat will also see Djokovic drop out of the ATP top 10 for the first time in eight years.
For Navone, the victory represented a landmark moment against one of the greatest players in tennis history.
“It was very tough for me because you are playing with the ‘GOAT’ on this court,” Navone said.
“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?”
Djokovic’s exit also means that, for the first time since 2003, none of Djokovic, Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal will feature in the second round of a Grand Slam.
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