Novak Djokovic exits US Open after first-round loss to Mariano Navone
8 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 1, 2026, 5:07 AM
Last updated Sep 1, 2026
Novak Djokovic fell to Mariano Navone in the first round of the US Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The 39-year-old sustained a 7-6 (7-5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 defeat against the world number 49. Djokovic struggled physically during the match, requiring medical attention and appearing distressed in humid conditions. This result marks the first time the four-time champion has been eliminated in the opening round of this tournament and his earliest Grand Slam exit since 2006. The fourth-seeded Serbian player appeared emotional while leaving the court following his loss. Navone advances to the next round, securing one of the most significant victories of his career.
- •Mariano Navone eliminated Novak Djokovic in the US Open first round.
- •The final score was 7-6, 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.
- •Djokovic experienced physical distress and required medical assistance during the match.
- •This was Djokovic's first opening-round loss at Flushing Meadows in his career.
- 5:07 AMBBC Sport — Djokovic's tearful loss leaves future uncertain
- 11:21 PMYahoo Sports — Djokovic's tearful loss leaves future uncertain
- 11:10 AMBBC Sport — Watch: Djokovic overcome with emotion during US Open loss
- 11:06 AMYahoo Sports — ‘Tough to watch’ – Tennis fans react to Novak Djokovic’s ‘brutal’ US Open first-round defeat
- 6:08 AMYahoo Sports — Novak Djokovic Breaks Down in Tears During Painful US Open Loss As His Family Looks On
- 4:17 AMYahoo Sports — Djokovic breaks down in tears during US Open first-round exit
- 4:16 AMBBC Sport — Djokovic breaks down in tears during US Open first-round exit
"Novak Djokovic’s hopes of winning his record-extending 25th Grand Slam title at the 2026 US Open were brutally crushed in the first round, as he suffered a surprising upset at the hands of Mariano Navone. The Serb was visibly emotional as he came to terms with his loss at Flushing Meadows.
"Novak Djokovic has exited the US Open in the first round after his surprising five-set defeat to Mariano Navone. Djokovic won the second and third sets after losing the first in a tiebreak, but he capitulated at the end of the match.
"After Novak Djokovic's latest bid for a historic 25th major title ends in tears in New York, where does the most decorated men's player of the Open era go from here?
Sources
External links- BBC SportSep 1, 2026, 5:07 AMDjokovic's tearful loss leaves future uncertain
After Novak Djokovic's latest bid for a historic 25th major title ends in tears in New York, where does the most decorated men's player of the Open era go from here?
- Yahoo SportsAug 31, 2026, 11:21 PMDjokovic's tearful loss leaves future uncertain
After Novak Djokovic's latest bid for a historic 25th major title ends in tears in New York, where does the most decorated men's player of the Open era go from here?
- BBC SportAug 31, 2026, 11:10 AMWatch: Djokovic overcome with emotion during US Open loss
Novak Djokovic breaks down in tears during his first-round loss in the US Open against Argentina's Mariano Navone.
- Yahoo SportsAug 31, 2026, 11:06 AM‘Tough to watch’ – Tennis fans react to Novak Djokovic’s ‘brutal’ US Open first-round defeat
Novak Djokovic has exited the US Open in the first round after his surprising five-set defeat to Mariano Navone. Djokovic won the second and third sets after losing the first in a tiebreak, but he capitulated at the end of the match.
- Yahoo SportsAug 31, 2026, 6:08 AMNovak Djokovic Breaks Down in Tears During Painful US Open Loss As His Family Looks On
Novak Djokovic’s hopes of winning his record-extending 25th Grand Slam title at the 2026 US Open were brutally crushed in the first round, as he suffered a surprising upset at the hands of Mariano Navone. The Serb was visibly emotional as he came to terms with his loss at Flushing Meadows.
- Yahoo SportsAug 31, 2026, 4:17 AMDjokovic breaks down in tears during US Open first-round exit
Novak Djokovic breaks down in tears during a difficult US Open first-round defeat by Argentina's Mariano Navone.
- BBC SportAug 31, 2026, 4:16 AMDjokovic breaks down in tears during US Open first-round exit
An emotional Novak Djokovic suffers a US Open first-round defeat which provided further evidence that age is fast catching up with the 39-year-old great.
- Sky Sports—Djokovic breaks down in tears midway through deciding set in shock defeat
Novak Djokovic was visibly upset during the final set in his US Open first round defeat to Mariano Navone.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
ATP•Oct 20, 2026, 8:03 AMVoting open for October 12-17 South Bend Tribune athlete of the week
ATP•Oct 20, 2026, 8:01 AMVote here for SJ-R's athlete of the week, sponsored by Heartland Credit Union
ATP•Oct 20, 2026, 7:10 AMSwiatek withdraws from the Ningbo Open with a left thigh injury
TennisATP•Oct 20, 2026, 1:02 AMCedarville University renames $1.2M tennis complex for Hall of Fame coach- TennisATP•Oct 19, 2026, 10:31 PMGirls tennis: Benson/KMS, YME, Montevideo players are alive in Section 3A
- ATP•Oct 19, 2026, 10:15 PMRafael Jódar faces growing scrutiny after foul-mouthed exchange with ball boy
