Novak Djokovic experienced a surprising and challenging exit from the 2026 U.S. Open, falling in the first round to unseeded Argentine Mariano Navone in a five-set match that lasted four hours and 36 minutes on Sunday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. The final score was 7-6 (7-5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1. This loss marked Djokovic's earliest exit from a Grand Slam in two decades and his first-ever first-round defeat at the U.S. Open, ending a 19-0 record in opening matches at this tournament.
Djokovic, 39, who holds 24 major titles, appeared visibly unwell during the marathon match, vomiting multiple times and struggling with back and shoulder pain that affected his serve in the later stages. He required medical treatment on the court, including swallowing pills provided by a trainer and receiving a lower-back massage during a medical timeout between the fourth and fifth sets. Djokovic also showed signs of cramping and fatigue as his body gave out under the humid conditions, which were exacerbated by a closed roof after rain delays. He described the experience as "an awful feeling" and said he “despised every moment” on court, noting that the physical issues had troubled him throughout the year.
Despite his discomfort, Djokovic praised Navone for his performance, calling him “a nice guy, a fighter.” Navone, 25, acknowledged the significance of the victory, describing it as a dream come true and the biggest win of his career. The Argentine said the win against Djokovic, whom he referred to as the greatest of all time, meant a lot and reflected the emotional toll and adrenaline of the match.
Djokovic arrived in New York with questions surrounding his fitness and form following a recent loss at the Cincinnati Open, where he also faced physical difficulties. The toll of age and ongoing health challenges fueled discussions about his ability to compete at the highest level as he approaches 40 next year. Tennis commentator John McEnroe noted that “Father Time” eventually catches up with every athlete, referencing Djokovic’s struggle during this match.
Other notable developments at the U.S. Open included the early exit of Venus Williams, who lost in straight sets to American wild card Sofia Kenin shortly after midnight, marking what could be one of her final appearances in a Grand Slam singles competition. Meanwhile, defending women's singles champion Aryna Sabalenka and top seed Carlos Alcaraz began their campaigns successfully, with Alcaraz showing no visible issues from his recent wrist injury in a straight-sets win.
The tournament continued amid weather complications, including rain delays and mechanical issues with the retractable roof at Louis Armstrong Stadium. Several seeded players, including Arthur Fils and Barbora Krejcikova, were also defeated early, contributing to an unexpected and eventful start to this year’s U.S. Open.