US Open 2025: Alcaraz calls Djokovic's first-round exit 'a big surprise'
Synopsis
Novak Djokovic's first-round exit at the US Open — his earliest Grand Slam loss since 2006 — has handed Carlos Alcaraz a clearer path to the title. But the defending champion, returning from 139 days out with a wrist injury, insists the semis are 'too far away' to think about. Alcaraz's 28-winner display against Safiullin suggests the rust is already gone.
Key Takeaways
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Roman Safiullin in straight sets on 1 September in his first singles match in 139 days .
Novak Djokovic lost in five sets to Mariano Navone — his first Grand Slam first-round defeat since the 2006 Australian Open .
Alcaraz struck 28 winners and confirmed he was pain-free after returning from a right wrist injury sustained in April .
The Spaniard's season record improved to 23-3 with the victory.
Alcaraz next faces Portugal's Jaime Faria in the second round at Flushing Meadows .
Defending US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz on Monday, 1 September described Novak Djokovic's stunning first-round exit from the tournament as 'a big surprise,' even as the Spaniard made a confident return from a four-month injury layoff with a straight-sets victory over Roman Safiullin in New York.
Djokovic's Historic Early Exit
Djokovic suffered a five-set defeat to Mariano Navone on Sunday, marking his first opening-round loss at a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open — a near two-decade run of first-round wins snapped in a single afternoon. The result eliminated the prospect of a potential semi-final clash between the two rivals, as Djokovic had been placed in Alcaraz's half of the draw.
Alcaraz said he had watched the decisive fifth set unfold before weighing in on the upset. 'I saw the fifth set. Obviously it was the first time that Novak lost in the first round here in this tournament, so it's a big surprise. Someone like Novak going out in the first round, it's surprising,' the defending champion said, as quoted by ATP.
Alcaraz's Return After 139-Day Absence
The 23-year-old had been sidelined since April with a right wrist injury, returning to singles competition after 139 days away from the court. Despite the extended break, Alcaraz came through his opener convincingly, striking 28 winners and later confirming he was pain-free. His season record now stands at 23-3.
Alcaraz acknowledged the emotional weight of his comeback. 'It was a difficult day for me. But at the same time, a really beautiful one. Starting the day I was really nervous, thinking I'm going to make it, I'm going to compete again. I had more nerves than usual, but just happy, because my goal here is to compete, to enjoy, and let's see how my body's going to react after the matches,' he said.
One Round at a Time
Despite Djokovic's exit reshaping the draw in his favour, Alcaraz was measured in his response, stressing that a potential semi-final had always been a distant consideration. 'He was in my part of the draw, but it was in the semis. For me, the semis are too far away, so I just try to go round by round,' he added.
Notably, this is Alcaraz's first Grand Slam title defence since winning the 2024 US Open, making his return from injury all the more consequential for the tournament's narrative.
What's Next for Alcaraz
The Spaniard will next face Portugal's Jaime Faria in the second round as he continues his title defence at Flushing Meadows. With Djokovic out and Alcaraz through, the bottom half of the draw has opened up considerably — though the defending champion has made clear he is taking nothing for granted.
Point of View
But its significance extends beyond one result. For nearly two decades, a Djokovic first-round loss at a Slam was simply unthinkable — this changes the mental calculus for every player in the draw. For Alcaraz, the optics are double-edged: a clearer path to the title, but also the removal of the rivalry narrative that drives tournament interest. His own 139-day absence from singles courts is the real story — and one straight-sets win, however convincing, does not yet answer whether the wrist will hold across seven matches at Grand Slam intensity.
NationPress
1 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Novak Djokovic lose in the first round of the US Open 2025?
Djokovic lost in five sets to Mariano Navone on Sunday, 31 August, in what was his first Grand Slam first-round defeat since the 2006 Australian Open. The specific reasons for his defeat were not detailed in official statements, but the result is widely regarded as one of the biggest upsets in recent Grand Slam history.
What did Carlos Alcaraz say about Djokovic's exit?
Alcaraz called it 'a big surprise,' noting it was the first time Djokovic had lost in the first round at the US Open. He added that every Grand Slam is difficult and that every player must earn their wins from the first ball to the last.
How long was Carlos Alcaraz out before the 2025 US Open?
Alcaraz had been sidelined for 139 days with a right wrist injury sustained in April 2025. His first-round win over Roman Safiullin on 1 September was his first singles match in that period.
Who does Carlos Alcaraz play next at the 2025 US Open?
Alcaraz will face Portugal's Jaime Faria in the second round as he continues his title defence at Flushing Meadows, New York.
What is Carlos Alcaraz's season record after the US Open first round?
Following his straight-sets win over Roman Safiullin, Alcaraz's 2025 season record stands at 23 wins and 3 losses.
