The match, which lasted four hours and 36 minutes, concluded with a 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 victory for the 25-year-old Navone. This defeat represents a significant milestone in the wrong direction for the 24-time major champion, as it is the first time he has exited the U.S. Open in the opening round, dating back to his tournament debut 21 years ago.
A physical battle under the lights
Throughout the contest, it was evident that Djokovic was not at his physical peak. The Serbian star appeared to be battling illness and soreness, at one point appearing to vomit and later requiring medical attention for his lower back. During a medical timeout between the fourth and fifth sets, he received treatment while visibly grimacing, struggling to maintain his usual level of dominance on the court.
Despite the physical limitations, Djokovic showed flashes of his trademark brilliance, particularly when he rallied to take the second and third sets. However, the unforced error count climbed to 70 by the end of the match. Navone, who secured his first ATP singles title earlier this year, remained composed against his childhood idol. The Argentine capitalized on Djokovic’s physical decline in the final two sets to secure his first-ever five-set victory.
Uncertainty follows a difficult stretch
Reflecting on the victory, an emotional Navone described the experience as a dream come true, acknowledging the difficulty of facing the sport's most decorated player on such a grand stage. For Djokovic, the loss continues a challenging period in his season. He arrived in New York following a first-round exit at the Cincinnati hardcourt tuneup, having not played since his semifinal defeat to Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon.
The nature of this defeat, occurring exactly 21 years after his U.S. Open debut, has prompted immediate speculation regarding the future of the veteran’s career. Having previously expressed concerns about the difficulty of opening matches in recent tournaments, Djokovic now faces a period of reflection regarding his status in the sport. As he leaves the tournament before the second round for the first time since the 2006 Australian Open, the tennis world is left to wonder if this marathon match might be the final Grand Slam appearance for the record-holding champion.
