Novak Djokovic’s Unexpected Exit at 2026 U.S. Open

Novak Djokovic, often regarded as one of the greatest tennis players, faced an unexpected loss at the 2026 U.S. Open. On Sunday night, he exited the tournament in the first round, defeated in straight sets by Argentina’s Mariano Navone with scores of 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.

The 24-time Grand Slam winner, now 39, struggled with performance issues, notably committing 10 double faults and 70 unforced errors. Djokovic addressed his physical challenges, saying, “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, and I couldn’t close it out.” This defeat marked his first-ever first-round exit at the U.S. Open, a tournament he had previously won three times.

Entering the tournament as the fourth seed, Djokovic found it difficult to secure a win against Navone. Despite making a comeback during the match, his overall discomfort prevailed, impacting his gameplay. “Just struggled all the way since the fourth game of the match,” Djokovic noted. “When it comes to the match itself and the overall feeling of how I felt with my body and playing, it was really not enjoyable. I pretty much despised every moment that I spent on the court for that.”

Mariano Navone, who admired Djokovic since his youth, reacted to his victory with mixed feelings. “It was very tough for me because you are playing with the ‘GOAT’ on this court,” Navone expressed. “For sure it’s the best thing I’ve had on court. This is an amazing court and the biggest stage. It’s amazing, the way we play. I mean, five sets. I’m very happy. I don’t know. What can I say?”

Navone, 25, celebrated an ATP victory earlier this year in Romania, marking the first of his professional career. His triumph over Djokovic marks a significant achievement on an international stage.