This Week in Tennis: Djokovic’s Body Gives Out In US Open Upset

Navone Shocks Djokovic in US Open First Round

Novak Djokovic has lost in the first round of the US Open for the first time.

The decorated 39-year-old was upset by Mariano Navone 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a five-set marathon on Sunday night that took over four and a half hours to complete, ending just before midnight in New York. 

Similar to his early exit from Cincinnati earlier this month, Djokovic’s body gave out deep into the match. The 24-time Grand Slam winner threw up on the court at least once, appeared to experience left foot cramps, and needed a medical timeout for his lower back between the fourth and fifth sets.

“I didn’t enjoy myself,” Djokovic said. “I think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me.

Read also: ATP Power Rankings - Wide Open New York Field Even With Alcaraz Return

“It’s something that I’ve been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year: vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there. Then my whole body starts to collapse, basically cramping and pain. Yeah, the back just gave up in the end and shoulder, and I couldn’t close it out.”

It’s his earliest exit from a major since the 2006 Australian Open when he was beaten by American Paul Goldstein. 

Djokovic last won a Grand Slam at the US Open in 2023, as he continues to search for his 25th major title. 

Read also: Fernandez, Shapovalov earn first-round wins at US Open

Buse, Parry Win US Open Tune-Ups

Iganacio Buse and Diane Parry both came into the US Open on a hot streak, having won their tune-up tournaments last week. 

The 22-year-old Buse became the youngest champion in tournament history when he beat Arthur Fery 6-3, 6-2 to win the Winston-Salem Open. It’s the second tour-level trophy of Buse’s career, adding another notch to an already impressive season that has seen him rise to a career-high No. 30 on tour. 

Parry captured the first WTA title of her career, defeating Elise Mertens 6-4, 0-6, 6-3 to win the WTA 500 event in Monterrey. 

Parry was 0-5 in tour-level semifinals prior to this tournament, but overcame fifth seed Ann Li to reach her first final. There, the 23-year-old beat Mertens for the second time in two weeks to raise the trophy.

Parry racked up five Top 50 wins in Monterrey, beating Mertens, Li, Clara Tauson, Oleksandra Oliynykova, and Donna Vekic en route to the title. 

Read also: WTA Power Rankings - Sabalenka Fending Off Challengers to Her Throne at US Open

All Winners This Week:

ATP 250 - Winston-Salem

• Men’s Singles: Ignacio Buse* (2/2) d. Arthur Fery
• Men’s Doubles: Petr Nouza and Neil Oberleitner d. Austin Krajicek and Nikola Mektic

WTA 500 - Monterrey

• Women’s Singles: Diane Parry* (1/1) d. Elise Mertens
• Women’s Doubles: Maya Joint and Yifan Xu d. Mariia Kozyreva and Maia Lumsden

* 2026 Titles/Career Titles

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Feature Photo: Martin Sidorjak