Novak Djokovic’s quest for a historic 25th Grand Slam title ended abruptly in New York when he was defeated by Argentina’s Mariano Navone in a grueling five‑set encounter at the US Open. The 39‑year‑old Serbian, who entered the tournament hoping to add a fifth US Open crown to his collection, succumbed 7-6 (7-5) 5-7 4-6 6-2 6-1 after a match that stretched to four hours and 36 minutes. It was not only the longest opening‑round match of Djokovic’s Grand Slam career but also his earliest departure from a major since his first‑round loss at the 2006 Australian Open. Navone, ranked world No.
49, became the first player ever to eliminate Djokovic in the first round of the US Open and the first to do so in the opening round of any Grand Slam since Paul Goldstein’s upset at the 2006 Australian Open. The Argentine also celebrated his inaugural top‑10 victory at a major tournament, a milestone that will be remembered for years to come. The match unfolded under oppressive humidity, conditions that have plagued Djokovic throughout the season. From the outset, the Serbian champion showed signs of physical distress.
He experienced frequent bouts of vomiting, struggled to move fluidly across the court, and suffered cramping that intensified as the contest wore on. By the third set, his back and shoulder were giving way, and he admitted after the match that his whole body felt as if it were "collapsing." "I didn’t enjoy myself at all," Djokovic said in the post‑match interview. "It was an awful feeling on the court.
I’ve been dealing with this health issue all year – vomiting, cramping, pain – and today it finally overwhelmed me. My back gave out, my shoulder was shot, and I couldn’t finish the match.
I don’t know if it can be fixed, but I’m trying." Statistically, Djokovic entered the match with a 42‑12 record in five‑set battles, while Navone was 0‑4 in such encounters. Yet the Argentine’s relentless energy and the Serb’s deteriorating condition turned the tide. Navone seized the momentum in the second set, breaking Djokovic’s serve to level the match, and then pressed his advantage in the third, ultimately taking the set 6‑4.
Although Djokovic rallied to claim the fourth set 6‑2, his body was clearly failing him, and Navone closed out the match with a decisive 6‑1 win in the final set. The defeat raises unsettling questions about Djokovic’s future at Grand Slam events.
After a recent collapse in Cincinnati, where he fell to his knees and vomited into a towel, he disclosed that a long‑standing health problem, aggravated by heat and humidity, has been hampering his performance for years. While the New York heat was not as extreme as Cincinnati’s, Djokovic’s cheeks were flushed and his hair drenched in sweat early in the first set, where he briefly led 3‑0 before losing the tiebreak. During the match, Djokovic attempted to mitigate his discomfort by having the roof closed and relying on the arena’s air‑conditioning, yet the relief was temporary.
He even threw up beside the courtside towel box before securing a crucial break at 6‑5 in the second set. The pattern repeated in the third and fourth sets, with the Serbian vomiting again yet still managing to break Navone’s serve each time. In the fifth set, after a mis‑hit that sent his racket flying, Djokovic appeared visibly exhausted and was unable to mount any meaningful resistance.
The loss also marks a historic shift in men’s tennis. For the first time since 2003, none of the sport’s three dominant figures—Djokovic, Roger Federer, or Rafael Nadal—advanced beyond the second round of a Grand Slam. Djokovic’s performance, punctuated by 70 unforced errors and moments of near‑tears, underscored the physical toll the sport can exact. Navone, who won his first ATP singles title earlier in the year, expressed admiration for his opponent, saying, "Playing against the GOAT on this court was an incredible experience.
It’s the biggest stage, five sets, and I’m very happy with the result. I idolised Novak growing up, so beating him here is a dream come true." The Serbian’s early exit will see him drop out of the ATP top ten for the first time in eight years, a significant shift in the rankings landscape. Meanwhile, the US Open continues to broadcast live on Sky Sports, with streaming options available on NOW and the Sky Sports app for viewers who prefer contract‑free access.
In related news, American Sofia Kenin overcame a resilient Venus Williams in a women's match that started at 12:13 am, the latest start time ever for a US Open women’s match. Kenin secured a 6‑2 7‑6 (8‑6) victory after a tense second‑set tiebreak, while Williams suffered her 14th consecutive singles defeat, extending a six‑match losing streak at the US Open since her 2019 win. Overall, Djokovic’s unexpected departure serves as a stark reminder of the physical challenges elite athletes face, especially in demanding environments.
Whether this marks the end of his Grand Slam era remains to be seen, but his legacy as one of the sport’s greatest will undoubtedly endure.