Novak Djokovic’s quest for an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title was abruptly halted in the opening round of the US Open, where he was defeated by Argentine youngster Mariano Navone after a grueling five‑set battle that stretched nearly five hours. The 39‑year‑old Serbian, who entered the tournament as the favorite, fell 7-6 (7-5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, marking not only his earliest exit from a major since the 2006 Australian Open but also the longest first‑round match of his Grand Slam career. Navone, ranked No.
49 in the world, became the first player ever to knock Djokovic out in the first round of a US Open, and the first to do so in any Grand Slam since Paul Goldstein’s upset at the 2006 Australian Open. The Argentine’s victory also gave him his first top‑10 win at a major tournament, a milestone that will be remembered for years to come.
The match unfolded under oppressive humidity that seemed to sap Djokovic’s stamina at every turn. While the Serbian had a remarkable 42‑12 record in five‑set matches before this encounter, Navone entered the contest with a 0‑4 record in such situations. Yet the physical strain on Djokovic was evident from the outset. He struggled to move fluidly, experienced severe cramping, and was forced to vomit on multiple occasions, symptoms that intensified as the night wore on.
By the fourth set, his back and shoulder gave way, and he was unable to close out the match despite a brief resurgence in the second set. After the loss, Djokovic admitted that his body felt like it was “collapsing,” describing a night of relentless pain, cramping, and repeated bouts of vomiting. He said, "I didn’t enjoy myself at all.
It was an awful feeling on the court for me. 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." He added that the health issue he has been battling for years—exacerbated by heat and humidity—has become a constant companion throughout the season. The defeat raises unsettling questions about Djokovic’s future at Grand Slam events. With this loss, he is set to drop out of the ATP top ten for the first time in eight years, a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in professional tennis.
Navone, who turned 25 earlier this year and captured his first ATP singles title not long before the US Open, expressed awe at having faced the "GOAT" on such a grand stage. "It was the best thing I’ve had on court.
This is an amazing court and the biggest stage. I’m very happy," he said, acknowledging the significance of his achievement.
The match also highlighted broader trends in the sport. For the first time since 2003, none of the three dominant figures—Djokovic, Roger Federer, or Rafael Nadal—advanced beyond the second round of a Grand Slam, underscoring a generational shift and the emergence of new talent. In addition to the Djokovic‑Navone drama, the day featured other notable moments.
American Sofia Kenin held off a fierce comeback from fellow U.S. player Venus Williams, clinching a 6-2, 7-6 (8-6) victory after a tie‑break in the second set.
The match began at 12:13 am local time, setting a record for the latest‑starting women's match in US Open history. It also marked Williams’ 14th consecutive singles defeat, a streak dating back to her last win in Washington in July 2025, and her sixth straight loss at the US Open since her 2019 triumph.
Djokovic’s physical troubles were evident even before the New York showdown. Two weeks earlier in Cincinnati, he collapsed to his knees and vomited into a towel after a loss to Thiago Tirante, later revealing that a long‑standing health condition flares up in hot, humid conditions. Although the New York weather was milder than Cincinnati’s sweltering heat, Djokovic’s cheeks were already flushed and his hair drenched in sweat early in the first set, where he initially led 3‑0 before losing the set in a tie‑break. In a bid to manage the conditions, Djokovic successfully requested the roof to be closed and continued to fight despite the physical toll.
He managed a crucial break at 6‑5 in the second set after vomiting near the courtside towel box, and later broke serve again in the third set while battling severe nausea. Yet each time he seemed to gain momentum, his body betrayed him, culminating in a fourth‑set break and another bout of vomiting that left him visibly weakened.
The final set saw Djokovic’s movement become almost labored; he dropped his racket after a mis‑hit and appeared to be cramping severely. By the time the match concluded just before midnight, he had committed 70 unforced errors, a stark contrast to his usual precision.
He admitted that he “pretty much despised every moment that I spent on the court” and that the overall experience was “really not enjoyable.” Navone’s triumph will be remembered not only for its upset value but also for its symbolic weight. He said, "It was very tough for me because you are playing with the 'GOAT' on this court," acknowledging the pressure and honor of facing Djokovic. His victory serves as a reminder that in tennis, perseverance and seizing the moment can overturn even the most dominant narratives. The US Open continues to broadcast live on Sky Sports, with streaming options available on NOW and the Sky Sports app for fans who want to follow the remaining action.
As the tournament progresses, the tennis world will watch closely to see how Djokovic recovers from this setback and whether he can return to his dominant form in future majors.