Novak Đoković began his quest for history on August 30, 2026, aiming to secure a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title at the US Open. With top-ranked player Jannik Sinner absent, the Serbian tennis star had a unique opportunity to make his mark on the New York stage. His opening match was scheduled at Arthur Ashe Stadium, where he faced Argentina's Mariano Navone. This marked Đoković’s return to the US Open with one singular goal: to etch his name into the annals of tennis history. The highly anticipated match took place on August 31, 2026, and lasted four hours and 36 minutes. Despite starting strongly and winning the first set, Đoković struggled throughout the encounter. He frequently leaned on his knees during long rallies, breathing heavily, and appeared visibly fatigued. By the third set, he was seen walking to the edge of the court and even breaking into fits of coughing. His physical condition deteriorated further, with reports indicating he suffered muscle cramps and back pain. At times, he could barely stand on his feet. Đoković described the experience as one of the worst of his career, noting that he has been battling health issues all season. “It was terrible,” he said after the match. “I’ve been dealing with this almost every match this season. Coughing is a real problem. Then my whole body started to fail, cramps and pain. Eventually, my back and shoulder gave out.” He added that he tried everything possible to continue, including taking tablets, using inhalers, and seeking medical attention, but nothing helped significantly. Despite his efforts, Đoković ultimately fell to Navone, who won the match in five sets with scores of 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1. This result marked the first time in Đoković’s 20 appearances at the US Open that he lost in the first round. His last such loss was in 2006 at the Australian Open. Navone, ranked 49th in the world, celebrated his biggest victory yet, calling it a dream come true. “This is the best day of my life,” he said. “Playing against the greatest in history on Arthur Ashe Stadium is incredible.” Throughout the match, Đoković’s wife, Jelena, watched anxiously from the stands, while their children, Stefan and Tara, cheered enthusiastically whenever their father managed to score a point. However, as the match progressed, Đoković’s physical struggles became more apparent. He was seen wiping sweat from his forehead and struggling to maintain his composure. The defeat leaves Đoković still searching for his 25th Grand Slam title. His previous win at the US Open came in 2023, and now he must wait for another opportunity. Meanwhile, Navone’s victory will be remembered as one of the most surprising results of the tournament’s early rounds. His performance highlighted both his resilience and determination, as well as the unpredictable nature of high-level tennis. Other notable matches in the first round included Daniil Medvedev defeating Hugo Gaston, Jiri Lehečka beating Pablo Carreño Busta, and Arthur Rinderknech overcoming Sho Shimabukuro. These results contributed to an exciting start to the US Open, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling competition ahead.
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