Novak Djokovic eliminated in five sets by Argentina's Navone at US Open on Sunday night

Novak Djokovic was beaten by Argentina's Navone in the first round of the US Open in New York on Sunday night, losing 7-6 (7-5) 5-7 4-6 6-2 6-1 and becoming visibly emotional, fighting back tears during the match.

Djokovic's defeat punctuated a remarkable career rebound story outlined in recent years: after dropping out of the world's top 20 during a two-year major drought in 2018 he went on to win four of the following five Grand Slams, doubling his major total to 12 across the next six years. The Serb's last major title was a men's record 24th at the US Open three years ago, and his loss in New York on Sunday night represented a rare low point for a player who had been one of the sport's leading figures for decades.

The result ended several of Djokovic's long-standing streaks: his run of 78 consecutive first-round Grand Slam wins was broken, his perfect 37-0 record in the first two rounds at the US Open came to an end, and it was his first opening-round exit at a major since losing at the 2006 Australian Open when he was ranked 76th.

This season had contained high points for Djokovic, including a five-set quarter-final victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime at Wimbledon — a match described as the longest quarter-final in that tournament's history — and a five-set comeback at the Australian Open in January that ended Jannik Sinner's bid for a third straight title. He then led Carlos Alcaraz by a set in the Australian Open final before losing in four sets, but also recorded early exits in Paris and now New York.

Physical issues featured in the post-match reporting. Djokovic had earlier dropped to his hands and knees and taken a medical timeout during a surprise second-round loss at August's Cincinnati Masters in hot, humid conditions; in New York the roof was closed after seven games, but by then he was already battling, vomiting and cramping over four hours and 36 minutes and saying it felt as if his "whole body starts to collapse".

Following his last slam, Djokovic won Olympic gold at Paris 2024, completing the career Golden Slam two months after knee surgery and three weeks after losing to "the Spaniard" in the Wimbledon final. He has since focused his schedule on majors: in 2026 he entered seven tournaments — four Grand Slams and three Masters 1000 events — and his 21 Tour-level matches were his fewest in a season since 2004.

Reacting to the defeat, Djokovic said: "I despised every moment I spent on the court for that" and added, "When it comes to the match itself, and the overall feeling of how I felt with my body and playing, it was really not enjoyable," while also noting, "But, from the perspective of the crowd and support, it was incredible. "I'm very sorry that I didn't perform as well as I should have, could have, or wanted - for them." Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash said on BBC Radio 5 Live: "You can't substitute matchplay. You can't be walking into a Grand Slam on a hot and humid day and expect to get through a five-set match. "I know he's super-human in many ways but it's going to catch up with you."

Djokovic has publicly expressed a desire to continue competing through the next Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028 and, discussing retirement in his recently released documentary, asked: 'Why would I talk about retirement when I still keep proving to myself that I can still win?' But, as of Sunday night, the outcome of this match has cast legitimate doubt on whether that goal remains achievable.