Novak Djokovic suffered a stunning 2-3 (6-7, 7-5, 6-4, 2-6, 1-6) defeat to world No. 49 Mariano Navone of Argentina in the opening round of the US Open at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, marking his earliest exit from a major tournament in two decades. The 39-year-old Serbian star battled extreme heat, vomiting, and a back injury during the 4-hour 36-minute marathon, bringing a sudden halt to his 78-match winning streak in major tournament first rounds.
A Historic Collapse in the New York Heat
The first-round exit on August 31 stunned the tennis world, severing a streak of major tournament opening-round wins that dated back to the 2006 Australian Open. For the first time in his career, Djokovic exited the US Open at the very first hurdle. Facing a player fourteen years his junior, the world No. 5 looked in control after claiming the second and third sets, but the punishing New York humidity caught up with him.
Djokovic fought through visible distress, battling cramping and vomiting as the match wore on. In the fourth set, after leading 2-1, he dropped five consecutive games as his physical condition deteriorated. Right before the decisive fifth set, he called for a medical timeout to receive treatment for back pain. Despite fighting through 4 hours and 36 minutes on court, Djokovic accumulated 70 errors, ultimately handing Navone the win.
Physical Struggles and the Shadow of Retirement
Sharing the record of 24 major wins with Australian legend Margaret Court, Djokovic had hoped to capture a record-breaking 25th title in New York. However, he has not added a major trophy to his resume since winning the US Open in 2023.
In his post-match comments, Djokovic addressed his mounting physical ailments candidly. He stated that he has dealt with vomiting, back pain, and shoulder issues across nearly every match this season, adding that whether he can resolve these physical hurdles moving forward remains to be seen.
The End of an Era for Tennis’s Big Three
Djokovic’s exit marks another poignant chapter in the fading of men’s tennis’s golden era. With rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal already retired from the professional circuit, Djokovic’s sudden physical vulnerability at Flushing Meadows highlights the shifting landscape of the sport. As younger competitors like Navone stake their claim on the main stages, the sport’s remaining icon faces crucial questions about his playing future.
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