Djokovic's tearful US Open loss ends
Novak Djokovic, 39, lost in the US Open first round to Argentina's Mariano Navone, ending multiple historic streaks and ensuring he will fall out of the world's top 10 for the first time in over six years.
Novak Djokovic suffered a shock first-round exit at the US Open, beaten 7-6 (7-5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 by Argentina's Mariano Navone. The four-time champion's defeat, which left him fighting back tears on court, ends several historic streaks and will see him drop out of the world's top 10 for the first time in over six years. You can see the impact on the standings when the rankings update.
The loss marks a significant shift for the 39-year-old Serb, who had not lost in the opening round of a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open. According to a BBC Sport report, the defeat carries multiple statistical consequences for the record 24-time major champion.
The end of historic streaks
The loss to Navone brought a decisive end to several of Djokovic's remarkable records. His perfect 37-0 record in the first two rounds of the US Open is over. More notably, his streak of 78 consecutive wins in Grand Slam first-round matches, a run that showed his unparalleled consistency, has been snapped. This was his earliest exit at a major in two decades. For more detailed career stats, his page shows the full scope of these ended runs.
| Record Ended | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Grand Slam first-round win streak | 78 consecutive matches |
| US Open R1 & R2 record | Previously 37-0 |
| Time since last first-round Slam exit | 20 years (since 2006 Australian Open) |
| Consecutive weeks in world top 10 | Will end a run dating from July 2018 |
A changed physical reality
Djokovic was visibly struggling physically during the four-hour, 36-minute match, vomiting and suffering from cramps. He told reporters he felt as if his whole body starts to collapse. This follows a recent revelation about an ongoing health condition that causes him particular difficulty in hot, humid conditions, a factor in a surprise loss at August's Cincinnati Masters.
Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, suggested the limited schedule was a factor. You can't substitute matchplay, Cash said. You can't be walking into a Grand Slam on a hot and humid day and expect to get through a five-set match.
The closing of an era
The ranking change will mark a symbolic moment for men's tennis. For the first time in almost 24 years, the ATP's top 10 will be missing at least one of Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, or Roger Federer. Nadal, a 22-time major winner, retired in 2024 at age 38, and 20-time major winner Federer retired in 2022 at 41. Djokovic, who will turn 40 next May, is now the last of the trio still competing.
All three last won a Grand Slam title at age 36. Ken Rosewall remains the oldest men's singles champion in the Open era, winning the 1972 Australian Open two months after turning 37. Djokovic himself prevented Federer from breaking that record by saving two championship points to win the 2019 Wimbledon final.
Looking ahead
Djokovic has slimmed his schedule dramatically, contesting just seven tournaments and 21 Tour-level matches in 2026 to focus on the majors. After winning Olympic gold in Paris in 2024, completing the career 'Golden Slam,' his stated goal has been to break the tie with Margaret Court for the most major singles titles. He has expressed a desire to play until the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
In a recently released documentary, he questioned the talk of retirement, asking why he would talk about retirement when he still keeps proving to himself that he can still win. Yet, after a despondent performance in New York where he said he despised every moment on court, that ability is now under greater scrutiny than it has been for years.
