The 39-year-old struggled visibly throughout the contest, which lasted 4 hours and 36 minutes. The defeat brings an end to Djokovic’s remarkable streak of 78 consecutive first-round victories at major tournaments, a run that had remained unbroken for two decades. The final scoreline read 6-7, 7-5, 6-4, 2-6, 1-6 in favor of the 48th-ranked Navone.
Physical struggles and emotional exit
The match was defined by significant physical distress for Djokovic, who was seen vomiting multiple times during the proceedings. Following the conclusion of the fourth set, the tennis icon required a medical timeout, during which he received treatment on his spine from a physiotherapist and was administered medication. As the deciding set progressed, the physical toll became apparent; Djokovic was visibly emotional as Navone surged to a 4-1 lead, eventually closing out the match to secure the most significant result of his career.
A breakthrough for Navone
Mariano Navone, born in 2001 in Nueve de Julio, Argentina, arrived at the US Open following a Round of 32 appearance in Winston-Salem. The Argentine, who began playing tennis at the age of three, previously made headlines at the 2024 French Open by becoming the first player in history to enter a Grand Slam main draw as a seeded player on his debut. His victory over the most successful men’s singles player in major history represents a major milestone in his professional development. For Djokovic, the loss marks a rare and difficult conclusion to his opening campaign at the final Grand Slam of the year.
