{
  "id": 4564903,
  "title": "Djokovic stunned by Navone in US Open first round, ends 20-year record",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/djokovic-stunned-by-navone-in-us-open-first-round-ends-20-year-record",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-31T04:03:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/tennis/novak-djokovic-us-open-2026-first-round-exit-navone-upset-10856452/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Novak Djokovic's bid for a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title came to an abrupt end on Monday at the US Open, as he suffered a shocking first-round loss to Argentina's Mariano Navone. The 39-year-old Serb, who had been chasing history in Flushing Meadows, was overwhelmed in a grueling five-set contest that highlighted his physical struggles. This defeat marked only the third time in Djokovic's illustrious career that he has lost an opening-round match at a major, shattering a remarkable 20-year streak of winning the first set of a US Open first-round match, which he hadn't done since 2006.\n\nDespite his evident physical distress, Djokovic displayed his characteristic resilience, battling back from a tight first-set tie-break loss (7-6(5)) to secure the next two sets (7-5 and 6-4). However, his body eventually gave in, with Djokovic requiring treatment for a lower back issue and suffering cramps, allowing Navone to triumph in the fourth set (6-2) and force a decisive fifth set. Exhausted, Djokovic succumbed to the pressure, losing the final set (6-1) and being eliminated from the tournament.\n\nThe match was a brutal physical ordeal from the outset, with Djokovic visibly struggling to maintain his usual form. He had previously expressed in the tournament's buildup about feeling prepared, yet he appeared far from his best. Djokovic was seen vomiting multiple times during the third set, a clear sign of his deteriorating condition. He had previously revealed that he was dealing with a health condition that is exacerbated by heat and humidity, making his physical plight all the more challenging.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Novak Djokovic loses first-round match at US Open to Mariano Navone.",
    "Djokovic ends 20-year streak of winning first set at US Open first round.",
    "Djokovic suffers physical struggles, requiring treatment and cramps."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Djokovic's loss marks a significant shift in his Grand Slam record, ending his 20-year streak of winning the first set of a US Open first-round match and highlighting his current physical struggles.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Four-time US Open champion Novak Djokovic ousted in first round by Mariano Navone",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/four-time-us-open-champion-novak-djokovic-ousted-in-first-round-by",
        "published": "2026-08-31T03:58:11.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "Djokovic breaks down in tears during US Open first-round exit",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/djokovic-breaks-down-in-tears-during-us-open-first-round-exit",
        "published": "2026-08-31T04:16:47.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "US Open: Novak Djokovic out in first round of a Grand Slam for first time in 20 years",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/us-open-novak-djokovic-out-in-first-round-of-a-grand-slam-for-first",
        "published": "2026-08-31T04:22:24.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Adom Online",
        "title": "Djokovic breaks down in tears during US Open first-round exit",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/djokovic-breaks-down-in-tears-during-us-open-first-round-exit-4576004",
        "published": "2026-08-31T04:53:06.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}