Djokovic knocked out in first round of US Open

Serbia's Novak Djokovic congratulates Argentina's Mariano Navone after losing their match during the men's singles first round at the US Open on August 30, 2026, in New York City.

Novak Djokovic had a rough day on Sunday. He faced Mariano Navone and lost in five tough sets, marking his earliest Grand Slam exit in 20 years. This defeat came during the first round of the US Open.

Navone, ranked 48th, won the match with scores of 7-6 (7/5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1. This loss ended Djokovic's chance for a record 25th Grand Slam title. The 39-year-old is struggling to achieve this milestone.

This defeat also broke Djokovic's impressive streak of 78 first-round wins in Grand Slam tournaments. His last first-round loss was back in 2006 against Paul Goldstein at the Australian Open.

Djokovic shared his feelings after the match. "I think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me," he said. He vomited multiple times and experienced cramps towards the end of the match.

"It’s something that I’ve been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year. Vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there. Then my whole body starts to collapse, basically cramping and pain. The back just gave up in the end and shoulder, I couldn’t close it out."

During the match, Djokovic took medication. He seemed to gain control when he broke Navone for a 2-1 lead in the fourth set with a great backhand winner. But Navone responded, winning the next five games and breaking Djokovic again to take the match into a fifth set.

Before the final set, Djokovic took a medical timeout. He received a massage on his spine and more medication. Despite the support from fans, Navone quickly took a 3-0 lead in the final set. Djokovic struggled as Navone only dropped one point while serving, sealing the match.

Djokovic, a four-time US Open winner, had never lost before the third round in this tournament. But he showed signs of struggle in his previous match in Cincinnati, where he lost his opening match.

Even when he led 4-1 in the first set, Djokovic didn’t look like his usual self. Every rally seemed to tire him, and he lost the set with a poor forehand into the net.

In the second set, Djokovic faced pressure but managed to break Navone at love for a 6-5 lead. He held his serve to even the match at one set each.

The third set continued in a similar fashion. Djokovic broke Navone in the ninth game and saved a break point in the next game to lead two sets to one. This made him reconsider any thoughts of quitting.

"I have, I have," he admitted when asked if he thought of giving up. "But then I won a set and then the third. I didn’t want to give up."

But determination wasn’t enough. Djokovic was ahead 2-1 in the fourth set when cramps hit, leading to eight straight games lost.