The prospect of Novak Djokovic's 25th Grand Slam in his career was painted when Jannik Sinner was absent from the US Open 2026, while Carlos Alcaraz had just returned from injury. But in the end, those images became too far-fetched, because Nole could not overcome the first barrier, right in front of him.
Djokovic had to brace himself to overcome physical pain and fatigue, making one mistake after another and could not regain the necessary form to defeat a young, resilient opponent - who was completely not overwhelmed on the big stage when facing the most successful player in tennis history.
The 39-year-old player officially said goodbye to the US Open 2026 after a defeat in the first round against Mariano Navone on the morning of August 31 (Vietnam time). The score was 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a 5-set marathon that lasted 4 hours and 36 minutes.
This is the longest Grand Slam opening match in Djokovic's career and becomes his earliest elimination at a major tournament in the past 2 decades, since the Australian Open 2006.
He has never lost in the first round of the US Open.
With this defeat, exactly 21 years since his US Open debut, the big question left open is whether this is Djokovic's final match at this tournament or at any other Grand Slam tournament.
Djokovic made up to 70 unforced errors in his performance that ended just minutes before midnight (New York time).
The tennis player who holds the record with 24 major titles vomited at least once and then showed signs of cramps when continuously hugging his left foot. Djokovic had to take medicine brought out by the doctor and was massaged in the lower back during medical care between the fourth and fifth sets, he constantly grimaced after many hits.
Throughout the time on the court, it can be clearly seen that Djokovic is no longer himself, fatigue and body aches have left heavy consequences.
The 4th seed Serbian took a 3-0 and then 4-1 lead in the first set before losing the advantage and losing the set - for the first time this happened to him in the US Open 1st round since 2006.
Under the witness of his wife, Jelena, who watched from the stands with an anxious face, Djokovic also had moments showing the class of one of the greatest tennis players.
He celebrated cautiously after winning the second set, then raised his hand to his ear to signal applause from the crowd on the way to win the third set.
However, Navone - the 25-year-old Argentine player who just won his first ATP singles title at the beginning of this year - did not give up. After a shot out in the fourth set, Djokovic made a land error and dropped the racket.
Djokovic almost gave up in the fourth set, despite the fans' cheers that made him cry.
Nole could not put all his remaining energy into seeking his 43rd victory in 5-set matches, and had to watch Navone win his first 5-set victory in his career.
