Carlos Alcaraz Reacts to Novak Djokovic’s Historic First-Round U.S. Open Exit

Speaking to reporters in New York after winning his own opening match, Alcaraz shared his reflections on the upset. The 23-year-old Spanish star noted that he caught the conclusion of the encounter.

“I watched the fifth set, and obviously, it was the first time that Novak lost in the first round here in this tournament, so it’s a big surprise, to be honest,” Alcaraz said. “Que alguien como Novak caiga en primera ronda es sorprendente, pero esto es un Grand Slam y es realmente difícil superar cada ronda.”

A Broken Record and a Monumental Upset

Before his loss to Navone—currently ranked No. 49 in the ATP world rankings—Novak Djokovic held a 19-0 record in first-round matches at the US Open. When taking all Grand Slam tournaments into account, that opening-round winning streak stood at 37-0.

Djokovic battled physical distress during the match, dealing with dizziness, cramps, and bouts of nausea. Afterward, the star questioned his future in the sport, raising doubts about how much longer he can continue competing.

For Navone, the triumph marked a significant moment. The Argentine player revealed after the match that he had endured a difficult period prior to the tournament before delivering what he described as a dream performance on the Grand Slam stage.

Navigating the Draw After the Shockwave

Djokovic had been placed in the same half of the singles draw as Alcaraz, setting up a projected semifinal clash between the two. With the Serbian eliminated, the path through the bracket has shifted.

Alcaraz, however, insisted that he is maintaining his match-by-match focus. “He was in my part of the draw, yes, but in semifinals, and for me the semifinals are very far away, so I just try to focus on my round,” Alcaraz noted.

The Spaniard moves forward to face Portuguese competitor Jaime Faria, ranked No. 72 in the world, in the second round scheduled for Wednesday, September 2, 2026.