Djokovic's historic US Open first-round exit
Novak Djokovic lost in the US Open first round for the first time in over 20 years, falling to Argentina's Mariano Navone in five sets while visibly struggling with physical issues.
Novak Djokovic's historic US Open first-round exit came after he suffered a first-round defeat at a Grand Slam for the first time in over 20 years. The 39-year-old, 24-time Grand Slam champion lost 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 to Argentina's Mariano Navone in a US Open match lasting four hours and 36 minutes.
Djokovic was leading by two sets to one and had an early break advantage in the fourth set before his physical condition deteriorated dramatically. He vomited during the third set and later cited back and shoulder issues that hampered his movement in the final two sets. You can see the full tournament fixtures for upcoming matches.
Physical struggles derail match
Djokovic described the experience as awful. "It's something that I've been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year," he said of the vomiting issue. He explained that his body would then begin to collapse with cramping and pain, culminating in his back and shoulder giving out.
The statistics from the match underscored his struggles. Djokovic committed 70 unforced errors, more than double the 34 produced by his opponent, Mariano Navone. For more detailed player stats, visit our dedicated page.
| Player | Unforced Errors | Sets Won |
|---|---|---|
| Novak Djokovic | 70 | 2 |
| Mariano Navone | 34 | 3 |
An ongoing health concern
The physical issue is not a new problem for the Serbian star. Earlier in August, after a first-round loss in Cincinnati, Djokovic confirmed he has been managing an ongoing health condition for a couple of years. He did not provide specific details about the issue. When asked about working on a solution for his stomach problems, his response was tentative: "I'm trying. Let's see."
The loss in New York ended a remarkable streak. Djokovic entered his 20th US Open with a perfect 37-0 record in the tournament's first two rounds. He is a four-time champion at the event and was the oldest man to win it in 2023. Check the latest tournament standings for updates.
Crowd support provides sole positive
Despite the painful loss, Djokovic found one bright spot. He expressed deep appreciation for the support from the Flushing Meadows crowd. He said the feeling on court was not enjoyable and that he despised every moment of the match. The crowd's efforts were different.
"They were trying to lift me up in important moments," Djokovic commented. He apologized for not performing better for them but said the love shown at the end truly touched his heart.
Navone makes history
For Mariano Navone, the victory was historic. The Argentine secured his first-ever win over a top-10 player at a major tournament. He is also the first player from Argentina to defeat Djokovic at a Grand Slam since Guillermo Coria did so at the 2005 French Open. Navone advances to a second-round match against either Stan Wawrinka or Matteo Berrettini.
