Djokovic loses in the first round to Mariano Navone

The four-time champion, chasing a record 25th major, goes out in five sets — his earliest Grand Slam exit in more than 20 years.

Novak Djokovic's pursuit of a record 25th Grand Slam singles title ended on the opening Sunday night in New York, beaten by Mariano Navone 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.

It is Djokovic's earliest exit from a major in more than two decades. He had come to Flushing Meadows with a career record of 95-15 at the tournament and four titles — 2011, 2014, 2018 and 2023 — and a draw that appeared to open in front of him after Jannik Sinner's withdrawal.

Navone, ranked outside the top forty, played the fifth set like a man with nothing to protect. For the 39-year-old Serb, the milestone that has defined the last three seasons of his career now waits until at least January.

Summarised by TennisArena from reporting by Yahoo Sports — https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/us-open-2026-men-women-084827442.html