NEW YORK, Aug. 31: Novak Djokovic suffered a stunning first-round defeat at the US Open, losing to Argentina’s Mariano Navone in a dramatic five set encounter on Sunday.
The Serbian veteran was unable to overcome physical difficulties during the match and eventually went down 6-7, 7-5, 6-4, 2-6, 1-6.
Djokovic fought hard to remain in contention after dropping the third set, forcing the contest into a deciding fifth set. However, Navone maintained his composure and produced a strong finish to secure one of the biggest victories of his career.
The defeat marks a rare early exit for Djokovic at the New York Grand Slam. The 25-year-old Navone, meanwhile, advanced to the next round after overcoming one of the most decorated players in tennis history.
Djokovic’s emotional reaction after the match underlined the significance of the unexpected result. The loss also adds another major talking point to an injury-hit 2026 season on the men’s tennis circuit.