Novak Djokovic was defeated by Mariano Navone in the first round of the US Open on Sunday [1].
The loss marks a significant upset for the 24-time Grand Slam champion [2] and signals a rare early exit from a major tournament.
Djokovic struggled with his health throughout the contest at Flushing Meadows — Corona Park. He said he experienced vomiting, cramping, and general fatigue as the match progressed [3]. These physical ailments hampered the champion's ability to maintain his usual level of play against the Argentine opponent.
Navone, who entered the match with a world ranking of 49 [4], managed to push the encounter to five sets [2]. The battle lasted between four and more than four and a half hours [5, 6]. Despite the duration, Djokovic could not overcome the physical toll of the match or Navone's persistence.
This defeat represents Djokovic's earliest Grand Slam exit in 20 years [7]. While the champion has historically dominated the U.S. Open, the physical collapse during this opening round highlights a vulnerability not seen in two decades.
Navone's victory is one of the most unexpected results of the 2026 tournament. The match combined a clash of rankings with a struggle for physical endurance, ending in a result that reshapes the men's draw in New York.
“Djokovic's earliest Grand Slam exit in 20 years”
This result suggests a potential shift in the dominance of the veteran elite in men's tennis. Djokovic's struggle with physical ailments during a first-round match indicates that age and health may be playing a larger role in his performance than in previous seasons, opening the door for lower-ranked players like Navone to secure major upsets.
