New York, Aug 2026 : Argentina's Mariano Navone produced one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 US Open, defeating 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in a dramatic five-set battle at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday (IST).
The 25-year-old world No. 49 overcame the fourth-seeded Serbian 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 to end Djokovic's latest bid for a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title at the opening hurdle.
For Navone, who has regarded Djokovic as one of his idols, the victory was a landmark moment in his career. Playing against the former world No. 1 for the first time, the Argentine held his nerve through a contest that lasted four hours and 36 minutes.
“It's amazing. The way we played, five sets against the GOAT. I'm very happy. I don't know, what can I say?” Navone said after the match, as quoted by the ATP Tour.
Reflecting on the significance of the victory, Navone added, “It's unbelievable. It means a lot to me. It's a dream come true, I mean seriously, 100 per cent.”
Despite losing the second and third sets after surrendering the opening set in a tie-break, Navone remained composed and capitalised on Djokovic's growing physical problems.
The 39-year-old Serbian struggled throughout the match and appeared increasingly uncomfortable as the contest progressed. Djokovic vomited several times during the encounter and later appeared to suffer from cramping and severe physical discomfort.
Djokovic had managed to regain control after falling behind early, winning the second and third sets to move within one set of victory. However, his physical condition deteriorated significantly in the fourth set, allowing Navone to seize the initiative.
The Argentine broke away decisively in the final two sets, winning the fourth 6-2 before racing through the deciding set 6-1. Djokovic struggled to move freely around the court as Navone maintained the pressure from the baseline.
The defeat brought an abrupt end to Djokovic's campaign at Flushing Meadows, where he had won the US Open title four times. It also ended one of the most remarkable streaks in men's Grand Slam tennis, with Djokovic suffering his first opening-round defeat at a major since the 2006 Australian Open.
The result also marked a rare moment in the sport's modern era. For the first time since 2003, none of the three members of the legendary “Big Three” — Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer — will feature in the second week of a Grand Slam tournament.
Djokovic acknowledged after the match that his physical condition had made it extremely difficult to compete at his best.
“I think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me. It's something that I've been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year,” Djokovic said, according to the ATP Tour.
“Vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there. Then my whole body starts to collapse, basically cramping and pain,” he added.
The Serbian further revealed that his back and shoulder problems worsened towards the end of the match and prevented him from closing out the contest.
For Navone, however, the stunning victory represents a breakthrough on one of tennis' biggest stages. After defeating one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, the Argentine will now look to carry his momentum into the next round as he continues his unexpected run at the US Open.
