Novak Djokovic’s US Open ended at the first hurdle after one of the most physically punishing matches he has played in recent years. Mariano Navone pulled off a major upset, defeating the Serbian in five sets, 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, after four hours and 36 minutes.
It marked Djokovic’s first career loss in the opening round of the US Open. He made his New York debut in 2005, and Navone became the first player in two decades to beat him in the first round of a Grand Slam. The Argentine, ranked No. 48 in the world, had never previously beaten a Top 20 opponent at a major.
The score alone, however, does not tell the story of the night inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. Djokovic struggled with the humidity, nausea, a problem with his left foot and, eventually, significant back pain. Cameras caught him in tears during the fifth set, but he stayed on court until the final point. 
From a 3-0 Lead to Losing the Opening Set
Nothing about the opening minutes suggested what was to come. Djokovic broke immediately and raced to a 3-0 lead as Navone struggled to settle into the occasion.
The momentum shifted quickly. Humidity began to affect Djokovic, who repeatedly wiped his hands, took deep breaths and raised concerns about the court conditions. Officials eventually decided to close the roof, creating a break of roughly eight minutes.
Navone returned from the interruption looking more comfortable. He extended rallies, retrieved increasingly difficult shots and forced Djokovic to hit one extra ball again and again.
The set went to a tiebreak, where Djokovic’s 17 unforced errors over the course of the opening set proved costly. Navone took advantage and moved ahead.
Djokovic Turns It Around Before His Body Pushes Back
The second set became a long, demanding battle with few openings on return. Djokovic finally made his move in the 11th game, breaking Navone without dropping a point.
He followed it with another flawless game. A run of nine consecutive points brought Djokovic level after two hours and 13 minutes.
The third set was more aggressive from both players. Djokovic, however, reverted to his trademark patience when points became more important.
He broke for 5-4 and then served out the set, moving ahead 2-1 after three hours and 15 minutes.
Djokovic broke again early in the fourth set. At that stage, it appeared he might finally have taken control.
Instead, the match changed completely.
Vomiting, Foot Trouble and Finally His Back
Djokovic looked increasingly drained as the fourth set progressed. He used an inhaler and was seen vomiting several times. Soon afterward, he also began showing signs of discomfort in his left foot.
Navone immediately broke back before taking control of the set and winning it 6-2.
Between the fourth and fifth sets, Djokovic called for a medical timeout because of back pain. He received treatment and medication, but his movement did not recover.
Navone broke early in the deciding set and quickly moved ahead 4-0.
Djokovic was barely able to stay competitive in some of the longer exchanges. Cameras caught him with tears in his eyes as he waited to return serve, but he chose not to retire.
He stayed until the end.
Arthur Ashe Crowd Salutes Djokovic
Navone closed out the fifth set 6-1, ending one of the most difficult nights Djokovic has endured in New York.
The result eliminated him from the tournament, but his decision to remain on court despite obvious physical distress drew a powerful reaction from the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd.
For Navone, the win will stand among the defining results of his career. The Argentine remained patient after dropping the second and third sets, continued extending rallies and forced Djokovic to expend more and more energy.
He will face the winner of Stan Wawrinka and Matteo Berrettini in the second round.
Another Chase for Grand Slam No. 25 Ends
For Djokovic, the US Open ended far earlier than expected.
The four-time New York champion last lifted the trophy in 2023, when he also won what remains his 24th Grand Slam singles title.
This time, the pursuit of No. 25 ended in Round 1.
The defeat will inevitably renew questions about how much punishment Djokovic’s body can absorb in best-of-five-set tennis at age 39. Physical issues have increasingly accompanied his appearances in recent months, and the match against Navone provided one of the starkest examples.
Yet the fact that Djokovic stayed on court even when his chances of turning the match around appeared minimal also says something about the competitiveness that helped him win 24 Grand Slam titles.
The US Open has lost one of its biggest stars in the opening round. For Djokovic, the question after this night in New York is now impossible to avoid: what comes next?
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