Novak Djokovic Suffers First Round US Open Exit to Mariano Navone
ContestedRigor 4725 sources
The Story
Novak Djokovic suffered a shock first-round exit at the 2026 US Open on Sunday night, losing to Argentina’s Mariano Navone in a five-set encounter at Flushing Meadows. Djokovic, 39, was ousted 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, marking his first first-round loss at the U.S. Open and his earliest Grand Slam exit since the 2006 Australian Open. The match lasted over 4 1/2 hours, with some reports stating 4 hours and 36 minutes, and others 4 hours and 40 minutes. Djokovic, the No. 4 seed and a three-time U.S. Open champion, made 70 unforced errors and had 10 double faults. He attributed his performance to ongoing ailments, stating, "It’s something that I’ve been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year: vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there." He added that his whole body starts to collapse, basically cramping and pain, and his back and shoulder gave up. Djokovic said he pretty much despised every moment he spent on the court. Navone, 25, ranked No. 49 in the world, secured his first five-set win in five matches. Navone, who won his first ATP tournament earlier this year in Romania, described the win against his idol as bittersweet.
The Spread
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What they agree on
- Novak Djokovic was eliminated in the first round of the 2026 US Open.
- Djokovic lost to Argentina's Mariano Navone in a five-set match.
- This marks Djokovic's first-ever first-round exit at the US Open and his earliest Grand Slam exit since 2006.
- Djokovic attributed his performance to ongoing health issues, including vomiting, cramping, and pain in his back and shoulder.
- Mariano Navone, ranked No. 49, achieved the biggest win of his career against his idol.
Where they split
- Fox News and The Daily Caller provide the exact set scores for the match (7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1), while other outlets summarize the outcome without the detailed scores.
- Some international sources like The Times of India and Gulf News emphasize the physical torment Djokovic endured and question his future in tennis.
- GB News and Telegraph India highlight Djokovic's emotional state, mentioning he broke down in tears after the exit.
- Associated Press and PBS NewsHour include details about other matches played on the Sunday start of the US Open, such as Venus Williams' loss, providing broader tournament context.
Source Perspectives
Left7 sources