The 2026 US Open delivered one of the most stunning results in recent Grand Slam history on its opening day, as Novak Djokovic was eliminated in the first round for the first time in his career. The 24-time Grand Slam champion fell to unseeded Argentine Mariano Navone 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a five-set marathon lasting four hours and 36 minutes — the longest opening match of any Grand Slam in Djokovic’s career.

The result marks Djokovic’s earliest exit from a major tournament in two decades, dating back to his 2006 first-round loss to Paul Goldstein at the Australian Open, and ends a run of 78 consecutive Grand Slam first-round victories. For anyone following the latest Djokovic US Open news, here’s a full breakdown of what happened and what it means for the rest of the tournament.
Latest Sports News

What Happened?

Djokovic, the fourth seed and four-time US Open champion, had never previously lost before the third round at Flushing Meadows. But physical struggles were evident from early in the contest. He vomited on court, battled cramps late in the match, and took a medical timeout before the deciding fifth set to receive treatment and massage on his back.

Despite grabbing a 4-1 lead in the opening set, Djokovic surrendered it with an error into the net. He fought back to level the match at one set apiece, then appeared to have seized control when he broke serve for a 2-1 lead in the fourth set. Navone responded by winning five games in a row to force a decider, before racing to a 3-0 lead in the fifth set that Djokovic could not overturn.

“It’s a good record, another one. But yeah, I’m not really thinking about it,” Djokovic said afterwards, referencing his now-ended first-round winning streak. “Of course, I’ve been very proud of all the achievements in the past, but now is now.”

Key Moments

• Djokovic served for the opening set at 4-1 before Navone clawed his way back into contention.
• A vintage backhand winner gave Djokovic a 2-1 lead in the fourth set, only for Navone to reel off five straight games.
• A medical timeout before the fifth set saw Djokovic receive treatment for a back issue.
• Navone, ranked 48th in the world, dropped just one point on his own serve during the decisive final set.

Player Performance: A Rare Off Day for Djokovic

The 39-year-old made 70 unforced errors over the course of the match, a painful statistic for a player renowned for his consistency from the baseline. He had shown warning signs heading into New York, struggling physically in his only tune-up event in Cincinnati. Djokovic’s 2026 season has already included an appearance in the Australian Open final and a semi-final run at Wimbledon, but also a third-round exit at the French Open — meaning this US Open defeat represents his earliest finish at two of the year’s four majors.

Navone, for his part, described the win as the biggest moment of his career. “Five sets, against the GOAT, it’s not something you do every day,” he said pitch-side. “It means a lot to me. It’s a dream come true.”

Rankings and Tournament Impact

Djokovic’s exit immediately reshaped the betting market for the men’s title, with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev remaining the clear favourites. The draw was already missing world number one Jannik Sinner, who withdrew through injury, meaning the loss of Djokovic removes another of the tournament’s headline contenders from the second week.

Djokovic entered the US Open with the third-best odds to lift the trophy, and there had been optimism that Sinner’s absence might hand him a clearer route to a fifth US Open title and a record-extending 25th Grand Slam crown overall. Instead, the record remains unbroken for now.

What This Means Going Forward

With Djokovic now 39 and having endured his earliest Grand Slam exit in 20 years, questions about how much longer he can compete at the very top of the men’s game will inevitably follow. He gave no immediate indication of his future plans in his on-court comments, focusing instead on his immediate need to recover physically.

Upcoming Fixtures: The Draw Without Djokovic

Elsewhere in New York, the tournament has continued at pace. Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz made a winning return from a four-month wrist injury lay-off, beating Roman Safiullin in straight sets on his way into the second round, while two-time defending women’s champion Aryna Sabalenka also advanced comfortably as she chases a rare US Open three-peat. Both remain firmly in contention as the tournament heads towards the quarter-finals, scheduled to begin on September 8, with the men’s and women’s finals set for September 13 and September 12 respectively.

FAQ

Who beat Novak Djokovic at the 2026 US Open?
Djokovic was beaten by unseeded Argentine Mariano Navone, ranked 48th in the world, in a five-set first-round match.

Was this Djokovic’s first-ever first-round loss at the US Open?
Yes. Djokovic had never previously lost before the third round at the US Open in his career.

Why did Djokovic struggle physically during the match?
Djokovic battled cramps and vomited during the contest and took a medical timeout for treatment on a back issue before the deciding fifth set.

Who are the favourites to win the 2026 US Open men’s title after Djokovic’s exit?
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev are the clear favourites following Djokovic’s elimination and Jannik Sinner’s absence through injury.