Djokovic’s 20-Year Grand Slam First-Round Streak Ends As Navone Stuns Him At US Open

Novak Djokovic’s quest for another US Open triumph suffered a stunning setback on Sunday as the 24-time Grand Slam champion was knocked out in the first round for the first time in his career, losing to Argentina’s Mariano Navone in a gruelling five-set battle.

Navone prevailed 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 after more than four-and-a-half hours, handing Djokovic one of the most unexpected early exits of his illustrious career. The Serbian had been 19-0 in US Open first-round matches and had not lost his opening match at a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open.

The No. 4 seed and four-time US Open champion struggled physically through the contest, with leg problems and vomiting adding to his difficulties as the match wore on. Rain also briefly interrupted play, with the roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium closed during the opening set.

While Djokovic’s campaign ended abruptly, several leading players made confident starts. Third seed Jessica Pegula defeated Elena-Gabriela Ruse 6-3, 6-2, continuing a superb season in which she leads the women’s tour with 46 victories. The American, runner-up at the 2024 US Open, has two titles and three further finals this year and could rise to No. 1 if she wins the tournament and Elena Rybakina fails to reach the semifinals.

Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk also advanced comfortably, beating Storm Hunter 6-4, 6-1. Daniil Medvedev, the 2021 champion, recovered from a poor North American hard-court swing to defeat Hugo Gaston 6-4, 6-2, 6-4.

Elina Svitolina, Jasmine Paolini, Leylah Fernandez and Tommy Paul were among the other winners, while Barbora Krejcikova was beaten by Kamilla Rakhimova.

Rain disrupted seven matches, while injuries forced former champion Marin Cilic and 2022 runner-up Casper Ruud to withdraw.