Novak Djokovic experienced his earliest Grand Slam exit in two decades after losing a grueling five-set match to Mariano Navone in the first round of the US Open on Sunday in New York. The Argentine, ranked 48th in the world, defeated the 39-year-old Serbian 7-6 (7/5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, halting Djokovic’s pursuit of a record 25th Grand Slam title.
Djokovic, a four-time US Open champion and holder of 24 major titles, revealed that he has been battling a chronic health issue for several years, which affects his performance in heat and humidity. Throughout the match, he showed visible signs of physical distress, including repeated vomiting, severe cramps, and difficulty moving. The Serbian player described the experience as one he "despised" and said the health challenge was “serious,” though he remains hopeful it can be addressed.
The match lasted over four and a half hours, with Djokovic initially showing determination by breaking Navone to take the third set and maintain hopes of advancing. Nevertheless, physical symptoms intensified in the fourth set, causing Djokovic to lose momentum and eventually fall behind. After taking a medical timeout and receiving treatment on his spine, Djokovic struggled to recover in the final set, surrendering the last eight games.
Prior to the US Open, Djokovic’s only other recent match—an opening-round loss in Cincinnati two weeks earlier—had raised concerns about his fitness. Following that defeat, he disclosed the underlying health issue contributing to his declining condition. Despite these difficulties, Djokovic congratulated Navone on an important career win and acknowledged his opponent’s fighting spirit.
Djokovic’s loss ended a streak of 78 consecutive first-round victories in Grand Slam tournaments, dating back to his early career defeat in 2006. Fans and analysts noted Djokovic’s usual resilience but recognized that his physical struggles severely hampered his performance in New York. The defeat marks a significant moment in the veteran champion’s career as he continues to manage his health while competing at the highest level.