In a stunning turn of events at the US Open, Novak Djokovic was eliminated in the first round of a Grand Slam for the first time in two decades. The Serbian tennis legend, currently ranked fifth in the world, fell to Argentina’s Mariano Navone in a grueling five-set match that lasted 4 hours and 36 minutes. The final score was 6-7 (5-7), 7-5, 6-4, 2-6, 1-6.
A Marathon Battle Marked by Physical Struggles
Djokovic, who had not lost in the opening round of a major since the 2006 Australian Open, appeared to be in control early, leading 4-1 in the first set. However, he soon began showing signs of severe physical distress, frequently applying ice to his face and receiving medical treatment. Despite taking medication, he vomited multiple times during the match.
Speaking after the match, Djokovic revealed the extent of his ordeal: “I think it was clear that I was feeling terrible on the court. Unfortunately, this is a problem I’ve been dealing with in almost every match this year. I’ve been vomiting, and it’s a serious issue. Then my whole body starts to break down, with cramps and pain. In the end, my back and shoulder let me down, and I couldn’t close out the match.”
Navone’s Dream Victory
For Mariano Navone, ranked 49th in the world, this was a career-defining moment. The 25-year-old, who had never faced his idol before, expressed his disbelief and joy: “It’s unbelievable, it’s a dream come true, and I mean that seriously, 100%. This amazing court, this biggest arena… Now I need to recover. I think it’s almost midnight, so we need to get some sleep.”
Navone capitalized on Djokovic’s physical decline, winning eight consecutive games in the fourth and fifth sets to seal the victory. The Argentine’s resilience and composure under pressure proved decisive in the latter stages of the match.
End of an Era for Djokovic
This early exit significantly hampers Djokovic’s chances of adding to his record 25 Grand Slam titles. The 39-year-old, who has won the US Open four times (2011, 2015, 2018, and 2023), had also shown poor form in his only warm-up event in Cincinnati, where he lost in the first round due to extreme heat.
Djokovic’s loss also ends a remarkable streak of 78 consecutive first-round wins at Grand Slam tournaments, a run that began after his defeat to Paul Goldstein in Melbourne in 2006. This defeat marks a significant moment in tennis history, as it is the first time in 20 years that Djokovic has failed to advance past the opening round of a major championship.