Novak Djokovic’s quest for an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title came to an abrupt and startling halt at the very first hurdle of the US Open, where he was outlasted by Argentina’s rising star Mariano Navone in a grueling five‑set encounter. The 39‑year‑old Serbian, who entered the tournament with the ambition of adding a fifth US Open crown to his extensive résumé, succumbed 7-6 (7-5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 after a match that stretched to four hours and thirty‑six minutes. This loss not only marked the longest opening‑round match of Djokovic’s Grand Slam career but also represented his earliest departure from a major since his first‑round upset at the 2006 Australian Open. Navone’s victory was historic on several fronts.
He became the first player ever to defeat Djokovic in the opening round of the US Open, and the first to knock the world No. 1 out in the first round of any Grand Slam since Paul Goldstein’s surprise win at the 2006 Australian Open. Moreover, Navone secured his inaugural top‑10 win at a major tournament, a milestone that will undoubtedly boost his confidence and reputation on the tour.
The Argentine’s triumph was forged under oppressive humidity that seemed to sap Djokovic’s legendary stamina. Throughout the match, the Serbian champion displayed uncharacteristic physical distress: he moved sluggishly at times, suffered multiple bouts of vomiting, and eventually described his body as “collapsing” under the strain. By the fourth set, his back and shoulder gave way, and he was unable to close out the contest despite his experience and skill.
Statistically, Djokovic entered the match with a 42‑12 record in five‑set battles, while Navone was 0‑4 in such situations. Yet the conditions and Djokovic’s health issues tipped the balance. After the match, the Serbian admitted that a lingering health problem, exacerbated by heat and humidity, had been affecting him all season. He said, “I’ve been dealing with this issue for many years.
It causes vomiting and severe cramping. My whole body started to collapse, basically cramping and pain. The back just gave up in the end and the shoulder, and I couldn’t close it out.” The defeat has sparked speculation about Djokovic’s future at Grand Slam events.
At 39, he remains one of the sport’s most dominant figures, but this loss raises the question of whether it could be his final appearance at a major tournament. He confessed, “I didn’t enjoy myself. It was an awful feeling on the court for me. I pretty much despised every moment that I spent on the court.” In addition to the main storyline, the day featured other notable moments.
American Sofia Kenin held off a fierce second‑set challenge from fellow U.S. player Venus Williams, clinching a 6-2, 7-6 (8-6) win. The match began at 12:13 am local time, setting a record for the latest‑starting women’s match in US Open history.
For Williams, it marked her 14th consecutive singles loss, a streak that began after her last victory in Washington in July 2025, and her sixth straight defeat at the US Open since a first‑round win in 2019. Djokovic’s health woes were evident even before the Navone match. Two weeks earlier in Cincinnati, he collapsed to his knees and vomited into a towel after a loss to Thiago Tirante, revealing that a chronic condition flares up in hot, humid environments.
Although the New York weather was milder than Cincinnati’s, his cheeks were flushed and sweat drenched his hair early in the first set, which he initially led 3‑0 before losing it in a tiebreak. During the Navone encounter, Djokovic attempted to fight back. After closing the roof on the Arthur Ashe Stadium and with his wife Jelena and their children watching from the stands, he managed a crucial break at 6‑5 in the second set, eventually serving it out. He vomited again midway through the third set but still captured a break, moving one set away from victory.
A further bout of nausea occurred at the start of the fourth set, yet he broke once more to lead 2‑1. However, a mis‑step after a wide shot in the fourth set saw him drop his racket, and he could not recover, conceding the set and ultimately the match. Navone, a 25‑year‑old who captured his first ATP singles title earlier in the year, expressed amazement at the experience: “It was the best thing I’ve had on court.
This is an amazing court and the biggest stage. Playing five sets here is a dream. I’m very happy.” He also acknowledged the honor of facing the GOAT, saying, “It was very tough for me because you are playing with the ‘GOAT’ on this court.” Djokovic’s performance was marred by 70 unforced errors, and he fought through tears in the fifth set, ultimately losing minutes before midnight. The loss will see him drop out of the ATP top ten for the first time in eight years, a significant shift in the rankings hierarchy.
This match also marked a rare moment in tennis history: for the first time since 2003, none of the sport’s three most dominant players—Djokovic, Roger Federer, or Rafael Nadal—advanced beyond the second round of a Grand Slam. The result underscores the increasing depth and unpredictability of the men’s game, where younger talents are ready to challenge established legends. The US Open continues to broadcast live on Sky Sports, with streaming options available on NOW and the Sky Sports app. Fans can also look forward to the upcoming Laver Cup at The O2 in London from 25‑27 September, also shown on Sky Sports.