No. 49 Navone ends Djokovic's 78-match Grand Slam opening streak

Novak Djokovic, 39, was eliminated in the first round of the US Open by Mariano Navone in a five-set marathon, ending Djokovic’s remarkable run of first-round Grand Slam wins and raising questions about how much longer he can compete at the highest level. The match featured severe physical distress for Djokovic, including vomiting, cramps, dehydration, and a medical timeout as he battled through a grueling four-plus-hour contest in humid conditions at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Navone, ranked No. 49, recovered from a 2-1 deficit to seal a career-defining upset, snapping Djokovic’s 78-match first-round streak in majors and leaving the Serbian in tears as the match concluded. Djokovic’s struggles were evident from early on, with on-court illness and visible pain overshadowing his resurgence to take the second and third sets before fading in the fourth and fifth. The loss, Djokovic’s earliest Grand Slam exit since 2006 and the first opening-round defeat at the US Open of his career, comes as his wife Jelena and their children watched, prompting broader speculation about the future of one of tennis’ greatest players. Analysts and fans are framing the result as potentially pivotal, signaling the tapering of an era even as Djokovic hints at ongoing attempts to understand his health and longevity.