Novak Djokovic came to New York chasing history.
He leaves the US Open after one match.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion was stunned by Argentina’s Mariano Navone in a brutal five-set battle Sunday night, losing 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
And this wasn’t just another early-round upset.
This was historic.
💥 Djokovic’s 20-Year Streak Is OVER
Djokovic had not lost in the first round of a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open.
That was more than 20 years ago.
Now, for the first time since he was just 18 years old, Djokovic has been sent home from a major after his opening match.
And the timing couldn’t be more painful.
Djokovic entered the US Open looking for his 25th Grand Slam title.
That dream is now gone.
😳 But Something Was Clearly Wrong
As shocking as Navone’s victory was, the biggest concern wasn’t necessarily Djokovic’s tennis.
It was his physical condition.
The Serbian superstar struggled throughout the match, dealing with vomiting, cramping, back pain and shoulder problems.
At one point, he became visibly sick on court.
By the later stages, Djokovic simply couldn’t maintain the same level.
He even admitted afterward that his body essentially began to collapse.
This wasn’t the Djokovic fans are accustomed to seeing.
The player famous for somehow finding another gear when everyone else is exhausted was the one running out of gas.
🔥 Navone Took FULL Advantage
Mariano Navone deserves enormous credit.
The 25-year-old Argentine didn’t panic after Djokovic took the second and third sets.
Instead, he kept fighting.
Once Djokovic’s physical problems became more obvious, Navone took control of the match and dominated the final two sets.
The world No. 49 eventually closed out the biggest victory of his career after four hours and 36 minutes of tennis.
For Navone, this was the kind of night tennis players dream about.
For Djokovic?
It was one of the toughest nights of his career.
😢 Djokovic Was Clearly Emotional
After the match, Djokovic was visibly emotional.
The crowd inside Arthur Ashe Stadium continued supporting him, even as the match slipped away.
And Djokovic admitted afterward that the physical problems weren’t completely new.
He said he has been dealing with serious issues during matches this season, including vomiting and the feeling that his entire body begins to collapse.
That’s what makes this defeat so much more concerning.
This wasn’t simply:
“Djokovic had a bad night.”
There appears to be something bigger going on physically.
👀 Is This the Beginning of the End?
Now comes the question nobody wants to ask.
What happens next for Djokovic?
He’s 39 years old.
He’s still one of the greatest tennis players the world has ever seen.
But 2026 has brought increasing questions about his ability to remain physically competitive against the younger generation.
And after suffering his earliest Grand Slam exit in two decades, those questions are only going to get louder.
To be clear, Djokovic has not announced his retirement.
But his latest defeat is guaranteed to fuel speculation about how much longer he can continue competing at this level.
🤯 And Look Who Beat Him
There’s another incredible part of this story.
Navone has reportedly considered Djokovic his idol since he was a child.
Now he’s the player responsible for sending him home from the US Open.
Imagine that.
You grow up watching Novak Djokovic.
You dream about playing against him.
Then one day, you step onto Arthur Ashe Stadium and knock him out of a Grand Slam.
That’s exactly what happened.
🏆 A Massive Opportunity for Navone
Navone now moves into the second round with enormous confidence.
He didn’t just beat Djokovic.
He announced himself to the entire tennis world.
The Argentine will now have a chance to make an even deeper run in New York after producing the biggest win of his career.
And suddenly, the men’s draw looks completely different.
One of the tournament favorites is gone.
The path toward the US Open trophy has opened up.
🎾 Djokovic’s 25th Major Will Have to Wait
Djokovic’s pursuit of a record 25th Grand Slam title is officially on hold.
He won’t be adding another US Open trophy this year.
And after winning the second and third sets, he looked like he might somehow pull off another classic comeback.
But his body simply wouldn’t cooperate.
Navone took advantage.
And the tennis world is now left wondering what comes next for one of its greatest champions.
🔥 THE BOTTOM LINE
Novak Djokovic’s US Open is over.
Not in the quarterfinals.
Not in the semifinals.
Not even in the third round.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion is OUT in Round 1.
Mariano Navone defeated him in five sets, ending Djokovic’s pursuit of a 25th major and handing him his earliest Grand Slam exit since 2006.
But the biggest story may not be the loss itself.
It’s the physical problems Djokovic experienced along the way.
At 39, the question is no longer simply whether Djokovic can still beat the world’s best.
It’s whether his body will allow him to keep doing it.
And that’s a question only Djokovic can answer.
👀 THE BIG QUESTION
Is this just one bad night for Novak Djokovic — or are we watching the beginning of the end?
