Mariano Navone: “It Is a Dream Come True, Certainly” — Argentine Upset of Novak Djokovic Shakes Up 2026 US Open
In one of the most stunning opening-round results in modern Grand Slam history, 25-year-old Argentine Mariano Navone dethroned four-time champion Novak Djokovic on Sunday night inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The World No. 49 pulled off a dramatic 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 victory over the 24-time Grand Slam titlist in a grueling four-hour, 36-minute marathon—marking Djokovic’s longest first-round match ever at a major, and his first opening-round defeat at a Grand Slam since 2006.
“It means a lot,” an ecstatic Navone said on court following the biggest victory of his career. “It is a dream come true, certainly.”
Physical Struggles Doom the Four-Time Champion
Djokovic, 39, entered the match seeking a historic 25th Grand Slam singles trophy, but physical ailments that first surfaced during the summer hard-court swing in Cincinnati returned to compromise the fourth seed.
After dropping a tight opening set plagued by 17 unforced errors, Djokovic battled back to claim the second and third sets. However, his physical condition rapidly deteriorated in the fourth set, forcing him to take a medical timeout before the deciding set.
“I think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me,” Djokovic admitted in his post-match press conference. “It’s something that I’ve been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year—vomiting, throwing up, serious issue there. And then my whole body starts to collapse, basically, cramping and pain.”
“Yeah, the back just gave up in the end, and the shoulder, and I couldn’t close it out. I was a break up in the fourth, but just struggled all the way, since the fourth game of the match.”
A Historic Exit in Flushing Meadows
Djokovic committed 70 unforced errors as Navone took complete control of the final two sets, breaking the Serbian twice early in the fourth before steamrolling through the fifth.
The loss marks the first time in Djokovic’s 20 US Open appearances that he has failed to advance past the opening round, and just the third first-round Grand Slam exit of his legendary career (following the 2005 and 2006 Australian Opens).
Leaving the court to a standing ovation, Djokovic made his signature heart gesture to the crowd, signed autographs for fans, and departed Arthur Ashe Stadium with heavy bags slung over his shoulders—leaving fans to wonder if it was his final match in Flushing Meadows.
