It didn’t take long for the 2026 U.S. Open to deliver a stunner, as 24-time major winner Novak Djokovic, his body failing him, stunningly bowed out in the first round. Clay-court specialist Mariano Navone defeated Djokovic in five sets on Arthur Ashe on Sunday night.
Just as it did at Roland Garros three months ago, Djokovic’s uncharacteristic early loss at a major invited plenty of questions about his future, particularly given how laborious the four-hour, 36-minute match was for the 39-year-old.
