US Open 2026 Results: Novak Djokovic's Tearful Exit Leaves Tennis Great's Future More Uncertain Than Ever
BBC Sport reports on Novak Djokovic's surprising exit from the US Open 2026, marking the first time since 2006 that the tennis legend has lost in the opening round of a Grand Slam.
Djokovic Overcome with Emotion During US Open Loss
By Harry Poole, BBC Sport journalist
Published 1 September 2026, 00:21 BST
Be warned: Novak Djokovic has often proved critics wrong before. Some questioned his return to the top after a two-year major title drought in 2018, but he went on to win four of the next five Grand Slams, reaching a record 24 titles.
However, this latest defeat at the US Open felt different. After three years without a men's record 25th major triumph, Djokovic struggled against Argentina's Navone, losing 7-6 (7-5) 5-7 4-6 6-2 6-1.
For a long time, Djokovic seemed to be improving with age, challenging younger players like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. Yet, early exits in Paris and New York this year left him with a sense that his best chance for record-breaking victory was at the Australian Open.
"I despise every moment I spent on the court for that," Djokovic said after the match, referring to his US Open performance. "When it comes to the match itself... it was really not enjoyable."
Despite the loss, key outcomes include:
- Djokovic falling out of the world's top 10 for the first time since July 2018.
- His streak of 78 successive first-round wins at Grand Slams ending.
- His perfect 37-0 record in the first two rounds at the US Open coming to an end.
- A first-round exit at a major for the first time since 2006, when he was ranked 76th.
Djokovic's resilience has sustained the 'Big Three' era of tennis for nearly two decades. However, with this loss, a new chapter begins without him in the top 10 rankings.