- Novak Djokovic is out of the US Open after a first-round defeat to Mariano Navone on Sunday night, losing 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a five-set marathon that lasted four hours and 36 minutes.
- This defeat marked Djokovic's earliest Grand Slam exit since the 2006 Australian Open and his first-ever first-round loss at the US Open.
- Djokovic expressed his feelings post-match, stating, “I didn’t enjoy myself” and described the experience as an awful feeling on the court.
- Djokovic lost in the first round at Cincinnati earlier this month, marking his first action since losing to Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon semifinals.
- Prior to the US Open, Djokovic expressed hope that his early exit at Cincinnati would provide him with more time to prepare for the tournament.
Novak Djokovic faced a shocking defeat in the first round of the US Open, losing to Mariano Navone in a grueling five-set match that lasted four hours and 36 minutes. This loss marks Djokovic's earliest Grand Slam exit in 20 years, dating back to the 2006 Australian Open.12
Djokovic, the No. 4 seed, started strong but faltered, losing the first set after leading 3-0. He made 70 unforced errors and expressed his frustration, stating, “I didn’t enjoy myself. It was really not enjoyable.” The match ended just before midnight, with Djokovic visibly struggling, even vomiting during play.
“It’s something that I’ve been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year,” he said, referring to his physical issues. Despite his efforts, he could not secure what would have been his 43rd five-set victory as Navone celebrated his first.
This defeat follows Djokovic's first-round loss at the Cincinnati hardcourt tuneup earlier this month, raising questions about his future in the sport. “I’m trying to address really what’s going on and how far I can go this way,” he remarked after the match.
With this loss, the tennis world is left wondering if this was Djokovic's final appearance at a Grand Slam, as he marked 21 years since his US Open debut.
“Djokovic, a 24-time major champion, made 70 unforced errors and vomited during the match, later citing a recurring issue that has plagued him all year. The loss, coming 21 years after his US Open debut, raises questions about his future in the sport.”
