Novak Djokovic’s chase for his 25th major title ended in a shock first-round defeat against Mariano Navone inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. In one of the most drama-filled opening matches in Grand Slam history, Djokovic was brought down not just by a relentless opponent, but by an accumulation of physical ailments that also saw him vomit during the contest. In the end, Navone turned out to be too tough an opponent for a physically struggling Djokovic to counter.
Djokovic led by two sets to one and a break before losing the fourth set 2-6. The five-set war, however, sent the Serbian crashing out of the US Open 2026. The Argentine won the contest 7-6(5) 5-7 4-6 6-2 6-1.
Djokovic Battles Illness in Third Set
During the third set of the match, Novak Djokovic faced a significant challenge when he had to step behind an advertising board to vomit. Despite this setback, he demonstrated remarkable determination, continuing to fight for the match. Djokovic rallied the enthusiastic crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium, seeking their support to bolster his spirits and maintain his resilience.
