Novak Djokovic’s quest for a record‑breaking 25th Grand Slam title came to an abrupt and shocking conclusion at the US Open, where he was beaten by Argentina’s Mariano Navone in a grueling five‑set encounter. The 39‑year‑old Serbian, who entered the tournament hoping to add a fifth US Open crown to his résumé, fell 7‑6 (7‑5), 5‑7, 4‑6, 6‑2, 6‑1. The match stretched to four hours and 36 minutes, making it the longest opening‑round contest of Djokovic’s Grand Slam career and the earliest he has ever been eliminated from a major since his first‑round loss at the 2006 Australian Open. Navone’s victory was historic on several fronts.
He became the first player ever to defeat 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. In addition, Navone recorded his inaugural top‑10 win at a Grand Slam event, a milestone that will be remembered in Argentine tennis circles for years to come. The Argentine, ranked world No.
49, was able to exploit the oppressive humidity that plagued the New York courts that day. Djokovic, who has struggled with a lingering health issue that flares up in hot and humid conditions, was visibly hampered. Throughout the match he experienced severe cramping, repeated bouts of vomiting, and a general sense that his body was “collapsing,” as he later described it.
He was forced to pause several times to attend to his nausea, and his movement was noticeably restricted, especially in the later stages of the contest. Statistically, the Serbian has a 42‑12 record in five‑set matches, while Navone entered the match winless in five‑set battles (0‑4). Yet the physical toll on Djokovic proved decisive. He admitted after the match that his back gave out, his shoulder felt compromised, and he was unable to finish the match with his usual intensity.
"I didn’t enjoy myself at all," he said in the post‑match interview. "It was an awful feeling on the court. My whole body started to collapse, cramping and pain.
The back just gave up, the shoulder, everything. I don’t know if the issue can be fixed, but I’m trying." The loss raises unsettling questions about Djokovic’s future at Grand Slam tournaments.
At 39, he remains one of the sport’s most dominant figures, yet this defeat could signal the end of an era. With the loss, he is set to slip out of the ATP top ten for the first time in eight years, a testament to how dramatically his fortunes have shifted in a single match. Navone, a 25‑year‑old who captured his first ATP singles title earlier in the season, expressed both awe and humility after his triumph. "It was an incredible experience to play against the GOAT on such a big stage," he said.
"The atmosphere, the five‑set battle – it’s something I’ll never forget. I’m very happy with the win and grateful for the opportunity." The match also marked a broader shift in men’s tennis: for the first time since 2003, none of the sport’s three most celebrated champions—Djokovic, Roger Federer, or Rafael Nadal—advanced beyond the second round of a Grand Slam. This generational turnover underscores the rising depth of talent on the tour and hints at a new competitive landscape. In addition to the headline men’s upset, the day featured a notable women’s result.
American Sofia Kenin held off a late surge from fellow United States player Venus Williams, clinching the match 6‑2, 7‑6 (8‑6). The contest began at 12:13 a.m. local time, making it the latest‑starting women's match in US Open history.
It also extended Williams’ recent struggles, marking her 14th consecutive singles loss and her sixth straight defeat at the US Open since her 2019 victory. Djokovic’s health concerns have been a recurring storyline this season. 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 condition exacerbated by heat and humidity had been plaguing him for years. Although the New York weather was milder than the sweltering conditions in Cincinnati, Djokovic’s cheeks were already flushed and his hair drenched in sweat early in the first set, which he initially led 3‑0 before losing it in a tiebreak.
Despite the adversity, Djokovic attempted to rally. He successfully lobbied to have the roof closed, and with his wife Jelena and their children watching from the stands, he managed a crucial break to take the second set 6‑5 after another bout of vomiting near the courtside towel box. He continued to fight, taking a break in the third set and even breaking serve again in the fourth, but his physical limitations became increasingly apparent. A mis‑step after a wide shot in the fourth set saw him drop his racket and concede the set, sealing the match for Navone.
The emotional toll was evident as Djokovic fought back tears during the fifth set, ultimately committing 70 unforced errors. "I pretty much despised every moment on the court," he lamented, emphasizing how far the experience had strayed from the joy he usually finds in competition.
Looking ahead, 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. Fans can also catch the upcoming Laver Cup at the O₂ in London later this month. Djokovic’s unexpected exit will undoubtedly be a major talking point as the tournament progresses, and Navone’s breakthrough victory may serve as a catalyst for a new generation of contenders eager to challenge the sport’s established hierarchy.