Novak Djokovic will drop out of the ATP Top 10 for the first time since July 2018 after being eliminated in the first round of the US Open by Argentine Mariano Navone. The Serb lost the match in five sets, 6-7, 7-5, 6-4, 2-6, 1-6, in a contest that lasted four hours and 36 minutes.
The elimination marks a negative first for Djokovic at a Grand Slam tournament in 20 years. The last time he exited a competition in the opening round was at the 2006 Australian Open. It also ended his run of 78 consecutive first-round victories at major tournaments, as well as his perfect record at the US Open, where he had previously won all 37 of his matches in the first two rounds.
The match in New York was marked by physical problems for Djokovic. He vomited, suffered cramps and said he felt as though his entire body was beginning to give out. At 39, the Serb has not won a Grand Slam tournament since 2023, and his exit from the Top 10 marks a symbolic change in world tennis. For the first time in almost 24 years, the rankings will no longer include any of Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.＂
Querrey said, “I think at some point next year, in 2027, we will watch Novak play his last tournament. That’s just a hunch, I have no info, that’s where I land on that, that’s my feeling.”
Former top 30 player Steve Johnson responded by pointing out Djokovic’s goal to keep playing until the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
He replied, “I get that, he’s talked about wanting to play the 2028 Olympics so that’s me.”
Following his US Open defeat, Djokovic confirmed his intention to play all four Grand Slams next year, but there still remains a cloud of uncertainty around the 24-time Grand Slam champion’s career.
Will Novak Djokovic play again in 2026?
Djokovic’s future may remain uncertain, but he is entered into an upcoming ATP tournament.
That is at the China Open in Beijing, where world number one Jannik Sinner is also set to return after missing the US Open due to a right knee injury.
Djokovic has not played at the China Open since 2015, when he continued his perfect record at the ATP 500 tournament.