Navone stuns Djokovic in 5 sets at US Open 2026 first round
Synopsis
A world No. 49 just ended Novak Djokovic's hunt for a record 25th Major — and did it in five sets on the biggest court in tennis. Djokovic vomited multiple times, cramped, and wept at the end. It is his first first-round Grand Slam exit in 20 years, and the first time since 2003 that none of the Big 3 will reach a Major's second week.
Key Takeaways
Mariano Navone defeated Novak Djokovic 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in the US Open 2026 first round at Arthur Ashe Stadium .
The result ends Djokovic's bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title .
Djokovic vomited multiple times on court and reportedly cramped in the fourth and fifth sets.
This is Djokovic's first first-round Major defeat since 2006 — a span of 20 years .
For the first time since 2003 , none of the Big 3 will feature in the second week of a Grand Slam.
Navone, ranked world No.
49 and aged 25 , called the win 'a dream come true' against his childhood idol.
Mariano Navone of Argentina produced one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 US Open, defeating 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in a gruelling five-set contest — 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 — in the men's singles first round at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York on Monday. The world No. 49 ended Djokovic's bid for a record 25th Major title in a match that stretched deep into the night.
Navone's Reaction: 'A Dream Come True'
The 25-year-old Argentine, who counts Djokovic among his childhood idols, was visibly overcome after the final point. 'It's amazing. The way we played, five sets against the GOAT,' Navone said, as quoted by ATP. 'I'm very happy. I don't know, what can I say?'
Reflecting on the significance of facing Djokovic for the first time, Navone added: 'It's unbelievable. It means a lot to me. It's a dream come true, I mean seriously, 100 per cent. Now I have to recover. I think it's almost 12 o'clock, so we have to go to sleep.'
Djokovic's Health Visibly Deteriorated During the Match
Djokovic, who won the opening set in a tie-break before mounting a comeback to take the second and third, was clearly battling a serious physical condition throughout. The former World No. 1 vomited multiple times on court — including during the third set — and appeared to be cramping as the match wore on.
'I think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me. It's something that I've been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year. Vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there. Then my whole body starts to collapse, basically cramping and pain,' Djokovic said after the loss, as quoted by ATP.
'Yeah, the back just gave up in the end and shoulder, and I couldn't close it out,' he added. A tearful Djokovic watched his quest for a 25th Major slip away at Flushing Meadows, where he has won four titles.
Historic Milestones and Broader Significance
The defeat carries remarkable historical weight. This is the first time Djokovic has lost in the first round of a Major since 2006 — a span of two decades. Notably, this also marks the first time since 2003 that none of the so-called Big 3 — Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer — will be present in the second week of a Grand Slam.
This comes amid a difficult season for Djokovic, who has reportedly struggled with recurring physical issues across multiple matches in 2026. His early exit at Flushing Meadows raises fresh questions about his ability to mount another Major challenge in the near term.
What's Next
Navone advances to the second round of the US Open 2026 and will look to build on arguably the biggest win of his career. The tournament continues at Arthur Ashe Stadium, with fans in India able to follow the action on JioHotstar and the Star Sports Network.
Point of View
Navone's win is the clearest evidence yet that the post-Big 3 era of men's tennis is not a transition — it is already here. The fact that no member of that triumvirate will be in the second week of a Major for the first time since 2003 is a generational landmark that mainstream coverage risks burying beneath the drama of Djokovic's tears.
NationPress
31 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the scoreline of Navone's win over Djokovic at the US Open 2026?
Mariano Navone defeated Novak Djokovic 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in five sets in the first round of the US Open 2026 at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. The match extended late into Monday night.
Why did Djokovic lose to Navone at the US Open 2026?
Djokovic suffered from a serious physical condition during the match, vomiting multiple times on court and appearing to cramp in the later sets. He described it as a recurring issue throughout the 2026 season, with his back and shoulder also giving way in the final set.
When was the last time Djokovic lost in the first round of a Grand Slam?
Djokovic's defeat to Navone is his first first-round loss at a Major since 2006 — a stretch of approximately 20 years. It is widely regarded as one of the biggest upsets in recent Grand Slam history.
What is the historical significance of Djokovic's exit for the Big 3?
With Djokovic's first-round exit, none of the Big 3 — Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer — will be present in the second week of a Grand Slam. This is the first time that has happened since 2003.
Who is Mariano Navone and what is his ranking?
Mariano Navone is a 25-year-old Argentine tennis player ranked world No. 49. He counts Djokovic among his childhood idols and described the victory as 'a dream come true' after the match.
