Djokovic's US Open Exit Ends 78-Match Grand Slam First-Round Streak
Novak Djokovic fell to Mariano Navone in a five-set first-round match at the US Open, ending his run of 78 consecutive Grand Slam first-round victories. The 39-year-old, who had not won a major in 2026, struggled physically and vomited multiple times during the contest. Navone advances to face either Matteo Berrettini or Stan Wawrinka in the second round.
Djokovic’s defeat marks his earliest exit at Flushing Meadows since 2006, the same year he last lost a Grand Slam opener. The match stretched nearly four and a half hours, with the 39-year-old visibly struggling physically and vomiting on court. He entered as the No. 4 seed, boosted by Jannik Sinner’s absence, but failed to convert a first-set tiebreak win into momentum. Navone, ranked far lower, rallied after dropping the opener to seize control in the final two sets. Djokovic’s 2026 season now ends without a major, matching his 2017 and 2025 droughts. His 78-match first-round streak, spanning two decades, is over.
This result could reshape the men’s draw’s narrative, shifting attention to younger contenders like Zverev and Alcaraz. For fans, it may signal a definitive generational transition, as Djokovic’s physical struggles highlight the toll of age at the sport’s highest level. Sponsors and broadcasters might recalibrate expectations around his marketability, while casual viewers may see this as a natural endpoint to an era. However, one loss does not erase his legacy, and his competitive drive could still produce future deep runs, though the window appears narrower.