![\"Novak](\"https:\/\/www.virlan.co\/social-media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/novak-djokovic-upset-us-open-2026-navone.jpg\")
Djokovic’s Tears Define Decider<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The fifth set quickly became increasingly difficult for Djokovic. As Navone jumped to a 3-0 lead and established a 4-1 lead in the decisive set, the Serbian appeared completely drained, struggling to match the Argentine’s intensity. Then came the most striking moment of the night: Djokovic began crying on court during the deciding set, visibly anguished as he watched the match slip further away from him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The tears came after hours of battling the heat, dehydration, illness and a relentless opponent. With his wife, Jelena, watching from the stands with worried looks on her face, Djokovic had moments where he looked like one of the best to play the sport, but his extraordinary fightback had ultimately fallen short.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The former world No. 1 acknowledged that the possibility of stopping had crossed his mind during the contest, but he chose to continue fighting rather than retire from the match. \u201cYes, I did,\u201d Djokovic replied when asked whether he had considered giving up. \u201cBut then I won one set and then another. At that point, I said to myself: ‘OK, maybe there is a chance.’ I didn’t want to give up in the fourth or fifth set. I wanted to finish the match.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mariano Navone’s Masterpiece<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Navone \u2014 a 25-year-old from Argentina who earlier this year won his first ATP singles title \u2014 did not go away. Ranked 49th in the ATP Rankings, Navone remained composed through the closing stages, dropping just one point on his own serve as he sprinted to the finish line, eventually closing out the fifth set 6-1 to complete one of the biggest victories of his career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Born in 2001 in Nueve de Julio, Buenos Aires, Navone admitted that it was a rare opportunity to play Djokovic on the grandest of stages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt’s crazy what just happened,\u201d Navone said after the victory. \u201cI started 3-0 down, nervous because of the figure I had in front of me. It’s difficult to take an idol down from the poster, but I became more challenging.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Navone rallied from behind to beat the 24-time Grand Slam champion, and called it a dream come true. \u201c(It) was very tough for me because you are playing with the ‘GOAT’ on this court,\u201d said Navone. \u201cFor sure it’s the best thing I’ve had on court. This is an amazing court and the biggest stage. It’s amazing, the way we play. I mean, five sets. … I’m very happy. I don’t know. What can I say?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the second round, Navone will be up against either Italian Matteo Berrettini or wildcard entrant Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What it Means: Is This the End?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
With this defeat, 21 years to the day of his U.S. Open debut, the question now lingers as to whether this was Djokovic’s final match at this or any Grand Slam. It extended a nightmare stretch for Djokovic, who also lost in the first round at the hardcourt tuneup in Cincinnati earlier this month. That was his first action since losing to top-ranked Jannik Sinner in the semifinals at Wimbledon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Djokovic’s latest Grand Slam campaign ended in painful fashion, with the 39-year-old admitting he is uncertain about how much longer he can continue competing at the highest level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don’t know how I can solve it. At the moment, I don’t want to go into too much detail. I’m just trying to understand what’s going on and how much longer I can keep going like this,\u201d Djokovic said, adding that he is \u201ctrying to address really what’s going on and how far I can go this way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His pursuit of a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title came to an abrupt conclusion, and his push will have to continue beyond Flushing Meadows\u2014if his body allows him to return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Sources: Associated Press (via Stephen Whyno), LiveMint, India Today, Athlon Sports, Hindustan Times<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In a massive upset, Novak Djokovic crashed out of the 2026 US Open first round against Mariano Navone. Discover the full story behind the gruelling 5-set marathon, Djokovic’s severe physical struggles on court, and what this early exit means for his quest for a 25th Grand Slam.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1434,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[203,1],"tags":[545,547,549,546,544,548,543,541],"class_list":["post-1431","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports","category-trending-now","tag-djokovic-25th-grand-slam-quest","tag-djokovic-crying-us-open","tag-djokovic-first-round-exit","tag-mariano-navone-us-open-highlights","tag-mariano-navone-vs-djokovic","tag-novak-djokovic-injury-update","tag-novak-djokovic-upset","tag-novak-djokovic-us-open-2026"],"yoast_head":"\n