Djokovic loses US Open first round to Navone in first-round major exit since 2006

Key facts

Djokovic fell to Mariano Navone 7-6 (7-5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a first-round match lasting 4 hours 36 minutes
First first-round grand slam exit for the 39-year-old since the 2006 Australian Open; first loss at opening round of US Open in his career
Djokovic vomited multiple times and experienced cramps and back pain throughout the humid night match, eventually crying in the fifth set
Navone, a 25-year-old Argentine ranked 49th, defeated a seeded fourth 24-time Grand Slam champion
Djokovic attributed his struggles to a recurring health condition exacerbated by heat and humidity that has affected him throughout 2026

The result

Novak Djokovic, seeded fourth at the US Open, fell to Argentina’s Mariano Navone 7-6 (7-5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in the first round. The match lasted 4 hours and 36 minutes and concluded around midnight in Arthur Ashe Stadium. It marked the 39-year-old’s first opening-round exit from a Grand Slam tournament since the 2006 Australian Open, when he was 18 years old—a gap of more than 20 years.

The physical struggle

Djokovic’s performance was marked by severe physical distress from the early stages of the match. Within roughly 15 minutes, even after holding a 2-0 lead in the opening set, he began showing signs of struggle in the humid evening conditions. Over the course of the five sets, Djokovic vomited multiple times into a towel bin, experienced cramping, fought balance issues, and showed signs of exhaustion. He became emotional in the deciding set and broke down in tears as he trudged back to the locker room after the loss.

The health condition

After the match, Djokovic disclosed that he has been dealing with a recurring health condition throughout 2026 that is exacerbated by heat and humidity. He described it as a “serious issue,” explaining that vomiting triggers a cascade of physical collapse—cramping, pain, back problems, and shoulder issues. He noted this was not the first time such struggles affected him; two weeks earlier at the Cincinnati Open, he lost to another Argentine, Thiago Agustín Tirante, in similarly humid conditions while experiencing comparable physical symptoms.

The opponent and context

Navone, ranked 49th in the world, is a 25-year-old Argentine. The victory will rank among the biggest of his career. While he is described as a tough competitor who has re-established himself inside the top 50 after nearly falling out of the top 100 the previous year, most of his best prior results came on clay courts. The loss cost Djokovic a chance at what would have been a 25th Grand Slam singles title, which would have moved him clear of Margaret Court’s 24 titles. The 24-time Grand Slam champion’s loss also came at a moment when top-ranked Jannik Sinner was absent due to injury and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz was returning from a long-term wrist injury, circumstances that observers noted presented a realistic opportunity for Djokovic.

Career context

At 39, Djokovic had shown earlier in 2026 that he remained a contender, reaching the Australian Open final and the Wimbledon semifinals. He had won all 19 of his previous US Open first-round matches and held the all-time record for most victories at the tournament before this loss. In the five sets before this defeat, he had compiled a 42-12 career record. Despite his age, he had previously suggested he aimed to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. This loss, combined with his recent struggles in humid conditions, prompted analysis from outlets that framed it as a visible preview of the decline that eventually awaits all athletes, though observers noted his history of strong off-season optimization and his pattern of performing well at the Australian Open in January.

Sources

Featured photo: Andymiah via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)