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Novak Djokovic exits US Open in first round for first time

The four-time champion struggled physically during a five-set opening-round loss to Argentina's Mariano Navone.

Updated Aug 31, 2026 · 05:24 UTC2 reports

The short version

Novak Djokovic lost 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 to Argentina's Mariano Navone in the first round of the U.S. Open.
This marks Djokovic's first career opening-round defeat at Flushing Meadows and his earliest exit at any Grand Slam tournament since 2006.
The 39-year-old suffered from physical distress throughout the four-hour, 36-minute match, committing 70 unforced errors.
The loss leaves Djokovic's bid for a record 25th Grand Slam singles title stalled as questions grow over his future in major tournaments.

Mariano Navone defeated fourth seed Novak Djokovic in five sets with a score of 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.[BBC News · Associated Press]
The four-hour and 36-minute match was the longest opening match of a Grand Slam in Djokovic's career.[Associated Press]
The defeat marks Djokovic's first opening-round loss at the U.S. Open and his earliest exit from a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open.[BBC News · Associated Press]
Djokovic experienced visible physical ailments, vomiting into a towel bin, receiving medication from a doctor, and taking a medical timeout for a lower back massage.[BBC News · Associated Press]
Djokovic made 70 unforced errors during the match.[Associated Press]
Navone, ranked world number 49, secured his first five-set victory and his biggest career milestone with the win.[BBC News · Associated Press]

Whether this defeat marks Djokovic's final appearance at a Grand Slam tournament remains undetermined.[Associated Press]
The precise medical condition behind Djokovic's ongoing struggles in humid weather conditions remains unconfirmed, though he previously acknowledged an ongoing issue following a recent loss in Cincinnati.[BBC News]