By Team INVC | INVC NEWS
Published: August 31, 2026 | 09 : 43 AM IST
NEW YORK, United States | August 31, 2026 —
Novak Djokovic US Open 2026 campaign ended in a stunning first-round defeat as Argentina’s Mariano Navone outlasted the 24-time Grand Slam champion in a dramatic five-set battle at Arthur Ashe Stadium, abruptly ending Djokovic’s latest attempt to capture an unprecedented 25th major singles title.
Navone defeated the fourth-seeded Serbian 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 after four hours and 36 minutes of physically punishing tennis.
For Djokovic, the result is historic for all the wrong reasons.
The 39-year-old had not lost in the first round of a Grand Slam tournament since the 2006 Australian Open.
Djokovic’s 25th Grand Slam Dream Ends in Round One
Djokovic arrived in New York chasing a milestone that has eluded him since winning his 24th major at the 2023 US Open.
Victory at Flushing Meadows would have given him a record 25th Grand Slam singles crown.
Instead, his campaign lasted only one match.
The defeat was particularly surprising because Djokovic appeared to have regained control after dropping a tight opening-set tiebreak.
He fought back to win the second set 7-5 and then took the third 6-4, moving two sets to one ahead.
At that stage, history strongly favoured him.
Djokovic entered the contest with an extraordinary 42-12 career record in five-set matches, while Navone had never won one at tour level, carrying an 0-4 record.
But the match turned dramatically.
Physical Problems Take Toll on Djokovic
Djokovic’s physical condition became one of the defining elements of the contest.
The Serbian struggled with his movement at several stages and appeared increasingly uncomfortable as the match continued.
ATP reported that Djokovic vomited multiple times during the four-hour, 36-minute battle.
Even after moving a break ahead early in the fourth set, he could not sustain his momentum.
Navone responded decisively, taking the fourth set 6-2 and forcing a deciding fifth.
By then, Djokovic’s physical difficulties were becoming increasingly apparent.
Navone Dominates the Deciding Set
Once the fifth set began, Navone seized control.
The Argentine played with increasing confidence while Djokovic struggled to reproduce the intensity that had helped him turn the match around earlier.
Navone raced through the deciding set 6-1.
On match point, he chased down a Djokovic drop volley before guiding the ball into the open court to complete the biggest victory of his career.
The two players embraced at the net after the match.
Despite the crushing defeat and his physical condition, Djokovic stopped to sign autographs before leaving Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Why Navone’s Victory Is Such a Huge Upset
Navone entered the match as a significant underdog.
His record on hard courts at tour level stood at only 12 wins and 29 defeats, while Djokovic is one of the greatest hard-court players in tennis history and a four-time US Open champion.
The Argentine had also never previously won a five-set match.
Yet he survived Djokovic’s comeback, recovered after falling two sets to one behind and then dominated the final two sets.
The result immediately becomes one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 Grand Slam season.
First Grand Slam Opening-Round Loss in 20 Years
The scale of Djokovic’s defeat becomes clearer when viewed against his remarkable consistency.
Before Monday morning’s result, the Serbian had not suffered a first-round defeat at a major for more than two decades.
His previous opening-round Grand Slam loss came at the 2006 Australian Open.
Since then, even when Djokovic failed to win a major, early-round elimination had become exceptionally rare.
At the US Open alone, he has won four titles — in 2011, 2015, 2018 and 2023 — and reached another six finals.
This year’s exit therefore represents one of the earliest and most unexpected Grand Slam departures of his career.
A Golden US Open Opportunity Disappears
Djokovic had entered the tournament with what appeared to be a significant opportunity.
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner is absent from this year’s US Open because of injury, while defending champion Carlos Alcaraz is returning to competition after an extended injury layoff.
That had opened up the men’s draw and strengthened hopes that Djokovic could make another serious run at No. 25.
Instead, those hopes disappeared before the second round.
Djokovic had openly maintained before the tournament that he had not abandoned his pursuit of another major despite being 39.
The result will now inevitably renew discussion about how many more realistic Grand Slam opportunities remain in his career.
Navone Moves Into Second Round
For Mariano Navone, the victory changes the complexion of his tournament entirely.
He advances to the second round having beaten one of the greatest players in the history of the sport — and having done so after trailing two sets to one.
The Argentine will now enter his next match carrying enormous momentum and considerably more international attention.
Djokovic, meanwhile, leaves New York with his Grand Slam total still frozen at 24.
The quest for No. 25 will have to wait once again.
