Novak Djokovic suffers first-round US Open exit

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Yes, you read that right.

Novak Djokovic lost in the first round of the US Open Grand Slam tournament.

On Aug. 31, 2026, world No. 49 Mariano Navone of Argentina pulled off the biggest upset of the US Open’s opening round by outlasting Djokovic, 7-6, 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.

Entering as a huge underdog against the winningest male tennis player of the Open Era, Navone did the unthinkable, stunning the tennis world with the most notable win of his professional career.

Down 2-1 and facing elimination in the fourth set, Navone displayed nerves of steel by shifting tactics from a power-centric game plan to a more patient approach in baseline exchanges.

The adjustment paid dividends as Navone’s baseline endurance extended the rallies to at least 15 shots, eventually wearing Djokovic down midway through the fourth set.

As the match progressed, it became evident that Djokovic was experiencing severe physical distress, vomiting several times while withstanding the intense heat and humidity inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.

When Djokovic wasn’t himself, Navone took advantage of the situation but still showed calculated aggression while sticking with what was working for him.

Despite seeing a visibly gassed Djokovic on the other end, Navone kept the rallies long and made sure the 24-time Grand Slam winner had to work for every shot.

It was a brutal sight as Navone ended every long exchange with either a clever chopped drop shot or a down-the-line groundstroke winner.

After a dominant performance in the second and third sets, Djokovic’s level of play suddenly dropped, allowing Navone to seize the momentum and dictate the pace of the match through the fifth set.

In one of the most dramatic moments in US Open history, Djokovic suddenly broke down in tears when he trailed 3-1 in the fifth set, with tennis commentator Chris Fowler calling it a sign of “surrender” as his body had already given up on him.

The stunning upset marked Djokovic’s first first-round loss at the US Open and his first opening-round exit at a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open.

“I didn’t have enough energy to battle him,” Djokovic said during the postmatch news conference.

“I didn’t have the rhythm to keep up with him for two sets. I will do my very best to keep my body in shape to sustain a certain level. But it wasn’t enough.”

What’s next for the Serbian ace? Will he consider retirement and leave the sport he has dominated for almost two decades?