Djokovic in Tears After Shocking First-Round US Open Exit

Novak Djokovic bid a painful farewell to the 2026 US Open in the first round, in a match that tested him both physically and mentally. The Serbian star fell to unseeded Argentine Mariano Navone 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 after 4 hours and 36 minutes of play, concluding in the early hours of August 31 local time.

This marked the first time in his career that Djokovic was ousted in the opening round at Flushing Meadows. The defeat also represented his earliest exit at a Grand Slam in two decades, dating back to the 2006 Australian Open. With 24 major titles to his name, Djokovic had hoped to equal the all-time record of 25, but that dream was shattered.

Djokovic entered the match carrying multiple physical concerns. He vomited at least once, then showed signs of cramping as he clutched his left leg. The 39-year-old required medication from doctors and received treatment on his lower back during a medical timeout between the fourth and fifth sets. He grimaced after nearly every shot.

“I didn’t feel good at all. Obviously, it’s a terrible feeling to be out on the court,” Djokovic said after the match. “It’s something I’ve been dealing with for most of my matches this year: vomiting, a serious issue. Then my whole body collapsed, cramping and pain. My back and shoulder gave up at the end.”

Djokovic committed 70 unforced errors, unable to find his best rhythm. Despite leading 3-0 and 4-1 in the opening set, he let it slip—the first time he had lost a first set in a US Open first-round match since 2006.

After winning the second and third sets with emotional celebrations, Djokovic nearly capitulated in the fourth. By the fifth, his stamina was completely drained, leaving him unable to mount his usual comeback.

Meanwhile, Navone, 25, played with confidence and showed no fear of his elder opponent. He secured his first career win over a top-five player and described the moment as a dream come true.

“It’s tough for me because you’re playing against a legend on this court. This is definitely the best moment I’ve had on court. It’s amazing, we played five sets. I’m so happy, I don’t know what else to say,” Navone shared.

This defeat extends a forgettable stretch for Djokovic. He was eliminated in the second round of the Cincinnati Masters earlier in August, and before that, he lost to Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon semifinals.

Speaking after his Cincinnati loss, Djokovic had hoped that an early exit would give him extra time to prepare for the US Open. However, physical issues continued to be a major obstacle, preventing him from performing at his best.

With this loss, a big question looms: Was this Djokovic’s final Grand Slam match? When asked, he replied, “I’m trying to figure out what’s going on and how far I can go with this condition.”