Novak Djokovic Loses to Mariano Navone in US Open First Round

Novak Djokovic was knocked out of the US Open 2026 in the first round as Mariano Navone claimed a dramatic five-set victory at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. The fourth-seeded Serbian lost 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a match that lasted four hours and 36 minutes and finished shortly before midnight.

The defeat ended Djokovic’s pursuit of a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam singles title and marked his first opening-round exit at a Grand Slam since 2006. Djokovic became emotional on court after the result, while Navone celebrated a landmark win in his first meeting with the player he described as his longtime idol.

Navone overturns Djokovic’s early advantage

Djokovic began by taking the opening set 7-6(5), but Navone responded strongly to level the contest with a 7-5 second set. The Argentine then moved ahead by winning the third set 6-4, putting Djokovic under pressure in a match that developed into one of the tournament’s biggest upsets.

Djokovic appeared to be dealing with discomfort under the closed roof. During the match, he vomited on court and later struggled with cramps. Despite those difficulties, he seemed to have regained momentum in the fourth set when he broke Navone for a 2-1 lead with a backhand winner down the line.

That advantage did not last. Navone won the next five games, fighting off two break points on the way to a 5-2 lead before breaking Djokovic again to close the set 6-2 and send the contest into a deciding fifth set.

Djokovic took a medical timeout before the final set, receiving treatment to his spine and another delivery of medication. However, Navone made the sharper start after play resumed, racing into a 3-0 lead in the decider.

With fans urging Djokovic on, Navone maintained control of the closing stages. The Argentine dropped only one point on his own serve in the final set as he completed a 6-1 finish and sealed the biggest win of the match.

A historic early exit and a dream win for Navone

For Djokovic, the loss brought an abrupt end to his US Open campaign and to his bid for Grand Slam title number 25. The Serbian had not been eliminated in the first round of a major in 20 years, making the result a significant moment in the tournament.

Navone, meanwhile, spoke of the scale of the occasion after defeating Djokovic on the sport’s biggest stage. “It’s unbelievable,” he said. “It’s a dream come true, I mean seriously, 100%.”

The Argentine also acknowledged the late finish following the lengthy contest. “This incredible court, the biggest stage … Now I have to recover. I think it’s almost 12 o’clock, so we have to go to sleep,” Navone said after securing the victory.

Navone’s 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 triumph will stand as a defining first-round result at the US Open 2026. For Djokovic, an emotional night at Arthur Ashe Stadium ended with a rare first-round Grand Slam departure.