Novak Djokovic’s quest for a record‑breaking 25th Grand Slam title was abruptly halted in the opening round of the US Open, where he was defeated by Argentina’s Mariano Navone after a grueling five‑set battle that stretched to four hours and 36 minutes. The 39‑year‑old Serbian, who entered the tournament hoping to add a fifth US Open crown to his résumé, succumbed 7‑6 (7‑5), 5‑7, 4‑6, 6‑2, 6‑1 to the world No. 49, marking the longest first‑round match of his Grand Slam career and his earliest exit from a major since the 2006 Australian Open. Navone’s victory was historic on several fronts.
He became the first player to eliminate Djokovic in the opening round of the US Open and the first to do so at any Grand Slam since Paul Goldstein’s upset of the Serbian at the 2006 Australian Open. The win also represented Navone’s inaugural top‑10 triumph at a major tournament, a milestone that underscores his rapid rise after securing his maiden ATP singles title earlier this year. The match unfolded under oppressive humidity, conditions that proved disastrous for Djokovic. Throughout the contest, the Serbian champion struggled physically, experiencing severe cramping, persistent nausea, and multiple episodes of vomiting.
He described his body as “collapsing,” with his back and shoulder giving out in the later stages, leaving him unable to finish the match with his usual intensity. "I didn’t enjoy myself at all," Djokovic admitted after the loss.
"It was an awful feeling on the court, and I was basically despising every moment I spent out there." Statistically, Djokovic entered the match with a 42‑12 record in five‑set encounters, while Navone had never won a five‑setter at a Grand Slam (0‑4). Despite the odds, Navone’s resilience and the advantage of better adaptation to the humid conditions allowed him to outlast the Serbian legend.
The Argentine, 25, maintained his composure even as Djokovic’s health deteriorated, ultimately sealing the win with a decisive break in the final set. The defeat raises unsettling questions about Djokovic’s future at the sport’s biggest stages.
With his body clearly compromised by a long‑standing health issue that flares up in heat and humidity, the Serbian wonders whether this could be his final Grand Slam appearance. "I’ve been carrying this problem for almost every match this year," he said. "Vomiting, cramping, pain – I don’t know if it can be fixed.
I’m trying, but only time will tell." In addition to the headline‑making upset, the night featured other notable moments. American Sofia Kenin held off a determined Venus Williams, clinching a 6‑2, 7‑6 (8‑6) victory after a tense second‑set tiebreak. The match, which began at 12:13 a.m.
on Arthur Ashe Stadium, set a new record for the latest‑starting women’s match in US Open history. For Williams, it marked her 14th consecutive singles loss, extending a slump that began after her last win in Washington in July 2025.
Djokovic’s physical woes were evident earlier in the tournament as well. In Cincinnati two weeks prior, he collapsed to his knees and vomited into a towel after a loss to Thiago Tirante, later revealing that a chronic health condition exacerbated by heat had been plaguing him for years. Although the New York summer was milder than Cincinnati’s, his cheeks were flushed and sweat drenched his hair early in the first set, where he initially led 3‑0 before dropping the set in a tiebreak. Despite closing the roof and playing with his family in the stands, Djokovic’s condition worsened.
He threw up near the courtside towel box before breaking Navone’s serve to go up 6‑5 in the second set, only to vomit again midway through the third. He managed to break once more in the fourth, but a mis‑step after a wide shot led to an awkward fall and the loss of his racket, effectively conceding the set. By the fifth, the Serbian was visibly exhausted, shedding tears and committing 70 unforced errors before the match concluded just before midnight.
Navone, who grew up idolising Djokovic, expressed awe at the experience. "Playing against the GOAT on this court is the best thing I’ve ever done," he said.
"It’s an amazing stage, five sets, and I’m very happy with the result." The upset will have immediate ranking repercussions. Djokovic is set to drop out of the ATP top ten for the first time in eight years, a testament to how pivotal Grand Slam performances are for maintaining elite status. Meanwhile, the US Open continues to be broadcast live on Sky Sports from August 30, with streaming options available on NOW and the Sky Sports app for viewers seeking contract‑free access. Overall, the match served as a stark reminder of the physical limits even the greatest athletes face, and it highlighted the emergence of a new contender in Mariano Navone, whose tenacity and composure under pressure earned him a place in tennis history.