Novak Djokovic suffered his earliest Grand Slam exit in 20 years at the US Open on Sunday, August 30, 2026, falling 7-6 (7/5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a grueling five-set first-round match against world number 49 Mariano Navone at Flushing Meadows. The 39-year-old Serb battled illness, vomiting multiple times on court and suffering late-match cramps, bringing his bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title to an abrupt halt.
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A Physical Collapse on Arthur Ashe Stadium
The first night session of the US Open was approaching the three-hour mark when Djokovic walked briskly to the corner of Arthur Ashe Stadium, bent down, and vomited into the towel bin. According to Reuters reporting, the 39-year-old Serb was hampered by back and shoulder issues that severely compromised his serve during the latter stages of the four-hour and 36-minute encounter.
Despite the severe physical toll—which included taking a medical timeout before the final set for spine massage and medication—Djokovic managed to carve out a 2-1 lead in the fourth set via a vintage backhand winner down the line. But the tape and the physical data told a starkly different story about his stamina under humid New York conditions.
Navone capitalized ruthlessly, stringing together five consecutive games in the fourth set and racing to a 3-0 lead in the decider. The unseeded Argentine dropped just a single point on his own serve down the home stretch, sealing his win just before midnight.
Historical Context and Breaking the Streak
This stunning upset marks the first time Djokovic has crashed out in the opening round of a Grand Slam since his 2006 defeat to Paul Goldstein at the Australian Open. It snaps a run of 78 Grand Slam first-round victories.
| Metric | Novak Djokovic | Mariano Navone |
|---|---|---|
| Tournament Ranking | 4th Seed | World No. 48 / 49 |
| Match Duration | 4 Hours, 36 Minutes | |
| Final Score | 6 (5), 7, 6, 2, 1 | 7 (7/5), 5, 4, 6, 6 |
| Earliest Major Exit | First Round (First since 2006) | Career-Best Slam Milestone |
Reflecting on the grueling ordeal after the match, Djokovic offered a frank assessment of his physical state to Reuters: “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.”
The Aftermath for the 24-Time Major Champion
Questions surrounding Djokovic’s endurance and match fitness had already surfaced following his opening-round loss to Thiago Agustin Tirante in Cincinnati just two weeks prior. While the veteran insisted he wanted to finish the match rather than retire—stating, “I didn’t want to give up in fourth or fifth…”
For Navone, the victory stands as the defining moment of his professional career. The Argentine’s post-match disbelief, quoting him as saying, “It’s unbelievable. It’s a dream come true, I mean seriously, 100%. This incredible court, the biggest stage … Now I have to recover. I think it’s almost 12 o’clock, so we have to go to sleep.”
As the dust settles on Flushing Meadows, the tennis world is left grappling with a rare sight: a battered, emotional Djokovic exiting a major before the second round even begins, leaving his pursuit of a historic 25th Grand Slam crown facing its steepest uphill battle yet.
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