Novak Djokovic battled through physical and internal struggles, committing numerous errors and failing to overcome a determined, younger opponent unafraid of facing the most accomplished player in tennis. The 39-year-old exited the U.S. Open following a grueling five-set match against Mariano Navone on Sunday night in New York, losing with a scoreline of 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 after a marathon lasting four hours and 36 minutes.
This marked Djokovic’s longest opening match at a Grand Slam and his earliest departure from a major tournament in two decades, tracing back to the 2006 Australian Open. The defeat, coming in the first round at the U.S. Open, was a first for the record holder with 24 Grand Slam titles.
Struggling physically, Djokovic experienced vomiting, cramping, and pain throughout the match, leading to multiple unforced errors and a visibly challenging performance. Djokovic revealed his ongoing battle with health issues affecting his gameplay and acknowledged his physical limitations during the match.
With this unexpected loss occurring on the 21st anniversary of his U.S. Open debut, questions arise regarding Djokovic’s future participation in Grand Slam events. Reflecting on the defeat, Djokovic expressed uncertainties about his continued performance at such high-level tournaments.
In contrast, Mariano Navone, who defeated Djokovic, described the experience as a remarkable opportunity to play against the tennis legend, emphasizing the significance of competing on such a prestigious stage.
Moving on from Djokovic’s defeat, Canadian players Leylah Fernandez and Denis Shapovalov achieved victories in their respective matches. Fernandez advanced to the second round with a straight-sets win over Shuai Zhang, showcasing a strong performance on the court. Shapovalov also secured a win in men’s singles play against Miomir Kecmanovic, despite some errors in his game.
On the women’s side, defending champion Aryna Sabalenka started her U.S. Open title defense with a win over Camila Osorio, while Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning men’s champion, returned from injury with an impressive victory over Roman Safiullin.
In another match, veteran player Venus Williams faced an early exit from the tournament, losing in straight sets to Sofia Kenin in a late-night match that extended into the early hours of the morning. Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, expressed her determination to continue competing despite the defeat.
The U.S. Open also witnessed notable performances from Amanda Anisimova and Stefanos Tsitsipas, highlighting the competitive nature of the tournament as players strive for success on the court.
