Novak Djokovic faced physical and mental challenges, committing numerous errors, and struggled to defeat a determined, younger opponent unphased by the pressure of playing against the most successful tennis player. The 39-year-old suffered a first-round loss to Mariano Navone at the U.S. Open, enduring a grueling five-set match lasting over four hours and thirty-six minutes in New York.
This defeat marked Djokovic’s earliest exit from a Grand Slam in two decades, dating back to the 2006 Australian Open, as he had never previously been eliminated in the opening round at the U.S. Open. Djokovic expressed his dissatisfaction with his performance, citing physical discomfort throughout the match, including vomiting and cramping, leading to a series of unforced errors and a visible struggle on the court.
The Serbian tennis legend received medical attention, including taking pills and receiving a back massage during the match. Djokovic revealed ongoing health issues affecting his gameplay, expressing disappointment in his inability to close out the match due to physical limitations.
Following this unexpected defeat on the 21st anniversary of his U.S. Open debut, speculation arose regarding Djokovic’s future in Grand Slam tournaments. In contrast, Navone, who admired Djokovic, described the experience of playing against the “GOAT” as a remarkable achievement and a significant moment in his career.
Meanwhile, Canadian player Leylah Fernandez advanced to the second round by defeating Shuai Zhang in straight sets, showcasing a strong performance with a mix of aces, break points, and solid defense. In the men’s singles, Denis Shapovalov secured a victory over Miomir Kecmanovic in a competitive match featuring a mix of aces and double faults.
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz started their title defense campaigns successfully, with Sabalenka winning her opening match against Camila Osorio and Alcaraz defeating Roman Safiullin in straight sets. Alcaraz expressed gratitude for returning to competitive play after recovering from an injury, demonstrating a strong performance in his first singles match since April.
In contrast, Venus Williams suffered a straight-set loss to Sofia Kenin in her U.S. Open singles appearance, raising questions about her future in professional tennis. Despite a late-night match that ended in the early hours, Williams displayed resilience and determination on the court, acknowledging the challenges of competing at a late hour.
Notable results from the tournament include Amanda Anisimova’s convincing victory in the first round and Stefanos Tsitsipas’s success in defeating the 10th seed after making changes to his coaching team to enhance his performance and confidence on the court.