Novak Djokovic loss in U.S. Open First Round is shocking, but should it be?

Novak Djokovic. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Novak Djokovic loss in U.S. Open First Round is shocking, but should it be?

By Alan Rubenstein | Last updated Aug 31, 2026 8:23 AM ET

Based on name recognition, Novak Djokovic losing 7-6, 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 to Mariano Navone in the first round of the U.S. Open was shocking. There were signs, however, that Djokovic losing should not have been surprising.

Conditioning and fitness have been a stalwart for Djokovic for most of his career. After taking the two set to one lead, Djokovic appeared to have problems with conditioning and possibly an injury during the match that lasted four hours and 36 minutes.

Djokovic fell to 14-7 in 2026 with the loss to Navone on Sunday night. The U.S. Open was only the seventh tournament that Djokovic has played in during the 2026 season, all of which have been Masters 1000s or Grand Slams.

The loss to Navone was the third time in 2026 and the second consecutive event that Djokovic lost his first match in a tournament. Dino Prizmic defeated Djokovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 in the second round of the ATP Masters Rome after the latter had a bye.

Mariano Navone defeats 24-time Grand Slam Champion Novak Djokovic in five sets. pic.twitter.com/BE8Dn3qC8j
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 31, 2026

Sending Novak Djokovic home early

Djokovic lost for the second consecutive match to an Argentine in his inaugural contest of a tournament. Thiago Agustin Tirante beat Djokovic 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the second round of the Cincinnati Open earlier in August. After the loss to Navone, ESPN's Chris Fowler and John McEnroe questioned if this was the last time Djokovic would play in the U.S. Open.

Djokovic had 3-0 and 4-1 first-set leads before losing in the tiebreaker. That was the first time Djokovic lost the first set at the U.S. Open in the first round since 2006. Djokovic received tablets brought to him by a doctor and had a medical timeout between the fourth and fifth sets, per the Associated Press via ESPN.

It was an uncharacteristic performance by Djokovic, who finished with 70 unforced errors. Navone dominated the box score with 165 points won to 146 for Djokovic. Entering the match, Navone was 21-20 in 2026. The win over Djokovic was the third hard-court Grand Slam victory for Navone in his career.

Alan Rubenstein

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