Novak Djokovic faced a crushing defeat in the opening round of the US Open on Sunday, marking a rare and painful exit from a Grand Slam event. For the first time in two decades, the Serbian star lost in the first round of a major tournament, a streak that had remained unbroken since the 2006 Australian Open, where he was defeated by American Paul Goldstein. This was also an unprecedented early exit for Djokovic in New York, where across 19 previous appearances he had never fallen before the third round, boasting an impressive 37-1 record at the tournament until now.
His defeat came in a grueling five-set match against 25-year-old Argentine Mariano Navone, ranked 39th in the world. Navone secured victory with a 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 scoreline, after an exhausting four-hour and 35-minute battle — the longest opening round match of Djokovic’s career. Despite Navone’s outstanding performance, the match’s outcome was heavily influenced by Djokovic’s struggle with physical ailments that severely hindered his play.
Physical Challenges Take Their Toll
Throughout the encounter, Djokovic appeared visibly distressed, even shedding tears during the fifth set. His physical condition deteriorated significantly, with stomach issues so severe that he vomited on court. The 39-year-old, ranked fifth in the world, had already expressed concern about his readiness during the tournament’s media day on Saturday. He acknowledged the difficulty of playing best-of-five sets on Arthur Ashe Stadium, stating, “I’m as prepared as I can be, but going out on Arthur Ashe and playing best-of-five sets… The early matches are now a challenge that I hope I can overcome.” Unfortunately, his body did not respond as hoped.
The match was a testament to the toll the years and physical strain have taken on a player once known for his resilience and endurance. Despite his champion pedigree at the US Open, having won the title four times, Djokovic’s journey this year was cut short in a manner that few anticipated, leaving him physically and emotionally drained as Navone celebrated a career-defining victory.