30, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, gestures to the crowd after he lost to Mariano Navone, of Argentina, during the first round of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Aug.
Novak Djokovic’s first-round defeat at the 2026 US Open may have ended his campaign earlier than expected, but the match produced several significant records and milestones for both the Serbian great and his opponent Mariano Navone. Djokovic has appeared at every US Open since making his debut in 2005, except in 2017 when a right elbow injury forced him to miss the tournament. He has won the title four times, in 2011, 2015, 2018 and 2023.
“Obviously, longevity was always one of the goals when I was younger: trying to have long career, trying to have more shots at Grand Slam and stay healthy long enough so that I can perform for as many years as possible.
“I’m very proud of that,” Djokovic said. The match marked Djokovic’s 20th appearance at the US Open, making him only the fourth man in men’s singles to reach the landmark. He joined Jimmy Connors, Andre Agassi and Feliciano Lopez in the exclusive group.
The four-hour, 36-minute battle also became the longest first-round match in a major tournament in Djokovic’s professional career.
“Here we are 20 years later,” Djokovic said. His first US Open match, a five-set marathon against Gael Monfils, came two decades ago. Monfils, who is planning to retire, is also competing at this year’s tournament. “We’re both still grinding and representing the older generation. For Djokovic, it was a night of contrasting milestones, his 20th US Open appearance ended with his earliest exit from the tournament and the loss of one of his longest-standing Grand Slam streaks.