Before the beginning of the 2026 US Open, Novak Djokovic had not lost in the first round of a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open. It took 20 years, but the Serbian icon was bounced out in the first round in New York on Sunday night by Mariano Navone.
Navone might have just sent Djokovic into retirement, though that level of decision won't come right away. The 24-time major winner's aim was to finish his career at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, representing Serbia one more time. He might still do that, but he will also likely be a diminished player.
Djokovic has also said he won't keep playing if he feels he can no longer compete to win titles, especially majors. That time appears to have arrived, sadly. Letting go after spending one's life dedicated to being legendary at one thing is difficult, but maybe Djokovic should say goodbye to tennis now.
Novak Djokovic faced a brutal end at the 2026 US Open
No one wants to watch him fade out slowly, losing matches to far lesser-known players who might only be remembered for the one time they defeated Novak Djokovic. Father Time is undefeated, and it is clearly beating Djokovic now.
It certainly was a much more difficult match for Navone than the score might imply. He defeated arguably the best player ever 7-6(5), 5-7, 6-2, 6-1, but it took four hours and 36 minutes.
The hardest part for tennis fans was probably watching those last two sets, however. Djokovic was obviously physically exhausted, with tears in his eyes, likely seeing the end of his time in the sport coming for him.
After the match, Djokovic confessed that he wasn't enjoying himself, and that it was an "awful feeling on the court." It was awful watching him play out the match for fans, too.
But this isn't about the fans, who will feel a certain established way about Novak Djokovic from what he has done throughout his career. He has painted himself as the villain at times, though he was never truly that. He was an icon, and he earned his way to the most majors, most Masters 1000 titles, and most weeks ranked atop the ATP Tour.
He doesn't want to go out without calling his only shot, however. Being pushed out by an unseeded player in the first round of the US Open isn't right either, but that might be reality. No matter what happens, Djokovic has delivered enough great memories for fans to last forever, though no one wants to remember seeing him play as a shell of his former self.
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