Novak Djokovic Suffers Shock First-Round US Open Exit Against Mariano Navone

Novak Djokovic suffered his earliest Grand Slam exit in two decades on Sunday, losing a gruelling five-set battle to Argentina’s Mariano Navone in the opening round of the US Open.

The 48th-ranked Navone stunned the 39-year-old Serbian 7-6 (7/5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 after four hours and 36 minutes, ending Djokovic’s latest attempt to win a record 25th Grand Slam singles title.

The defeat also brought an end to Djokovic’s remarkable run of 78 consecutive Grand Slam first-round victories. His previous first-round defeat came at the 2006 Australian Open, when he lost to Paul Goldstein.

Djokovic showed visible signs of physical distress throughout the contest. He vomited on court and struggled with cramps during the later stages, while medication and treatment from his support team failed to fully restore his condition.

Despite his problems, Djokovic appeared to have seized control in the fourth set. A superb backhand winner down the line gave him a break and a 2-1 advantage. Navone responded immediately, however, winning the next five games to level the match and force a deciding set.

Djokovic took a medical timeout before the fifth set, receiving treatment around his spine and further medication. Navone quickly moved 3-0 ahead and maintained his advantage without allowing his famous opponent a route back into the match.

The Argentine dropped only one point on his own serve during the deciding set as he completed the biggest victory of his career.

“It’s unbelievable,” Navone said after defeating his childhood idol in their first meeting. “It’s a dream come true, I mean seriously, 100 percent.”

Djokovic had started strongly, breaking Navone early to move 3-1 ahead, but his physical struggles became increasingly apparent as rallies grew longer. Navone recovered the break and forced the opening set into a tiebreak, which he won after Djokovic made two costly errors.

Djokovic responded in the second set, breaking Navone at love for a 6-5 lead before serving out the set to level the match.

The Serbian then battled through the third set despite appearing exhausted. He eventually secured a break for 5-4 and held his nerve to move two sets to one ahead.

Navone refused to fade, producing a powerful response in the fourth set before dominating the decider.

After the final point, Djokovic embraced Navone before leaving the court, blowing kisses toward a crowd that had supported him throughout the dramatic contest.