Novak Djokovic’s First-Round Exit at the 2026 US Open

Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion and world No. 4 seed, was defeated by Argentina’s 25-year-old Mariano Navone in a five-set marathon (7-6, 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1). The 4-hour-36-minute match ended Djokovic’s 78-match streak of opening-round victories at majors—the longest such streak in the Open era. It was his first first-round loss at the US Open and his earliest Grand Slam exit since the 2006 Australian Open.

ESPNBBC NewsESPNThe GuardianUS Open: Novak Djokovic loses to Mariano Navone in longest first round match of his career in Grand Slams

Entering New York, Djokovic had played only one match since his Wimbledon semifinal loss, a first-round defeat to Thiago Agustín Tirante in Cincinnati where he disclosed a health issue that flares in heat and humidity. The US Open’s night-time humidity intensified the problem. A win would have given him a chance to chase a record-extending 25th major title, potentially moving him ahead of Margaret Court’s all-time tally.

The Guardian

• Match duration: 4 h 36 m (longest opening-round match of Djokovic’s Grand Slam career).

ESPN

• Scoreline: 7-6, 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.

ESPN

• Unforced errors: 70.

ESPN

• Navone’s first career five-set win on the ATP Tour; his second ATP Top-10 victory.

US Open: Novak Djokovic loses to Mariano Navone in longest first round match of his career in Grand Slams

• Djokovic’s 19-0 record in US Open opening matches ended; his 84th major appearance.

ESPN

• Following the loss, Djokovic is set to fall out of the ATP Top 10 for the first time since July 2018.

ESPN

Tournament officials confirmed the match concluded shortly after midnight local time, with the roof closed during rain-affected portions of the first set.

The Guardian

• “It's something that I've been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year: vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there,” — Novak Djokovic.

ESPN

• “[It] was very tough for me because you are playing with the 'GOAT' on this court,” — Mariano Navone.

ESPN

Djokovic’s exit ends a two-decade pattern of early-round dominance at the US Open and creates the first Grand Slam since the 2003 French Open without any of the sport’s “Big Three” in the second round. The result reshapes the bottom half of the men’s draw, opening a potential pathway for an American champion for the first time since Andy Roddick’s 2003 victory.

ESPN

The US Open will continue without Djokovic, while the ATP rankings update to reflect his drop out of the Top 10. Navone advances to the second round, where he will face the winner of the match between world No. 49 and his next opponent. The tournament’s schedule proceeds with the women’s draw, including the late-night match between Venus Williams and Sofia Kenin.

ESPN