Novak Djokovic suffers earliest Grand Slam exit in 20 years as Mariano Navone stuns him at US Open

What happens when a tennis giant suddenly looks human?

For nearly two decades, the first round of a Grand Slam has been a formality for Novak Djokovic.

You expected him to win.

The only question was how quickly.

That is why what unfolded at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday felt so jarring.

Across four hours and 36 minutes, Mariano Navone—the Argentine better known for his clay-court grit than hard-court success—refused to play the role of the overwhelmed underdog. Instead, he outlasted, outmuscled and ultimately outplayed one of the greatest players the sport has ever seen.

When the final point arrived, Navone stood as the winner of a remarkable five-set battle, defeating Djokovic 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 and sending the Serbian legend crashing out in the opening round of the US Open. According to ATP Tour statistics, it marked Djokovic's earliest Grand Slam exit since the 2006 Australian Open.

For a tournament that began with Djokovic chasing history, it ended with a question few expected to ask:

Was this the night the US Open changed completely?

How did Mariano Navone produce the biggest win of his career?

The answer lies in what he did not do.

He did not panic.

He did not get distracted by the occasion.

And he did not allow Djokovic's reputation to dictate the match.

Navone matched the Serbian shot for shot in a tense opening set before edging the tiebreak. Even after Djokovic fought back to win the second and third sets, the Argentine never looked rattled.

Instead, he appeared to grow stronger.

While Djokovic's movement began to deteriorate, Navone continued to chase every ball, extend every rally and force the veteran into increasingly difficult exchanges.

By the fourth set, momentum had shifted decisively.

By the fifth, the upset was no longer a fantasy.

It was happening.

Why was Novak Djokovic struggling physically?

The biggest talking point of the match was not just the scoreline.

It was Djokovic's condition.

The 39-year-old appeared physically uncomfortable for large stretches of the contest. Broadcasters and reporters at Arthur Ashe Stadium noted movement issues, while television cameras also captured moments when Djokovic appeared visibly unwell and vomited during the match. Multiple outlets covering the US Open reported concerns over his physical state as the contest wore on.

For a player whose fitness and endurance have long been among his greatest weapons, the scenes were unusual.

Djokovic still managed to claw his way into a two-sets-to-one lead, a position from which he has escaped countless difficult matches during his career.

This time, however, there was no comeback.

What does this defeat mean for Djokovic's 25th Grand Slam chase?

Everything.

Djokovic arrived in New York seeking a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam singles title, which would have moved him ahead of Margaret Court's tally of 24 major singles championships.

The pursuit of that milestone had become one of the defining stories of the tournament.

Now it is over before the first week has even begun.

The defeat also raises fresh questions about Djokovic's future at the biggest events. While he remains one of the sport's most accomplished competitors, the physical demands of best-of-five-set tennis continue to grow with age.

That does not mean his Grand Slam journey is finished.

But it does mean the wait for No. 25 goes on.

Why is this upset so surprising?

Because Navone was not supposed to be the player delivering it.

Before arriving in New York, the Argentine had built most of his reputation on clay courts. According to ATP records, he entered the tournament with a modest hard-court record compared to the elite names regularly contending for Grand Slam titles.

He was respected.

But he was not considered a serious threat to win the tournament.

Certainly not a player expected to eliminate Djokovic on opening weekend.

Yet tennis has always had room for surprises.

And occasionally, it has room for shocks.

This was one of them.

How did the crowd react to the upset?

There was no controversy.

No drama.

Just respect.

After converting match point with a composed finish at the net, Navone celebrated the biggest victory of his career before sharing a warm exchange with Djokovic.

The Serbian, despite the disappointment, took time to acknowledge fans and sign autographs before leaving Arthur Ashe Stadium.

It was a reminder of why Djokovic remains one of the sport's most admired competitors—even on a night when history slipped away.

Who benefits most from Djokovic's early exit?

The answer is almost everyone left in the draw.

The tournament had already been reshaped by the absence of World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who withdrew because of injury. Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz entered the US Open after an extended break, creating uncertainty around the men's field.

Djokovic's departure removes another giant.

Suddenly, what looked like a top-heavy tournament feels wide open.

Players who might have expected to face the Serbian in later rounds now see a clearer path.

And that changes everything.

What happened elsewhere at the US Open?

While Navone was making headlines, former champion Daniil Medvedev quietly advanced to the second round.

The Russian defeated France's Hugo Gaston 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 to continue his pursuit of another deep run at Flushing Meadows. The victory marked Medvedev's eighth appearance in the US Open second round and reinforced his status as one of the leading contenders in a suddenly unpredictable draw.

The bigger story: Every era has a night like this

Tennis history is filled with moments when a new headline unexpectedly replaces an old one.

A veteran arrives chasing another record.

A lesser-known challenger walks onto court.

And by the end of the night, the script has been torn apart.

For Novak Djokovic, the US Open was supposed to be about Grand Slam title No. 25.

Instead, it became the tournament where Mariano Navone announced himself to the world.

And for everyone still left in New York, that might be the most important result of all.

(With inputs from ANI)