Joković’s First First‑Round Grand Slam Loss Since 2006

Novak Djokovic’s unexpected defeat to Mariano Navone at the US Open marked his first first‑round loss at a major since the 2006 Australian Open, ending a 20‑year streak of opening‑round victories. The 39‑year‑old Serbian had not suffered an early exit in a Grand Slam tournament for more than two decades.

He began the encounter confidently, securing the first two sets and establishing a break lead in the fourth set. However, escalating physical issues – including vomiting, cramps and intense shoulder pain – eroded his performance. By the decisive set, Djokovic was trailing 1‑3 and could not recover.

In post‑match remarks, he admitted that the “experience on court was terrible,” attributing the loss to his deteriorating health rather than a lack of skill. He also praised Navone for his fighting spirit, while lamenting that he could not deliver the level of tennis he and his supporters expected.

The crowd’s enthusiastic backing during the final set provided emotional comfort, but the Serbian champion confessed that every moment on the hard courts felt “unpleasant.”