Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz described Novak Djokovic’s surprising first-round loss on the US Open as a “huge shock” however emphasised his intention to concentrate on his personal match development match by match, in line with the ATP Web site.
Djokovic was defeated in 5 units by Mariano Navone in a match lasting over 4 hours at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The scores have been 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1. This marked Djokovic’s first opening-round defeat at a Grand Slam because the 2006 Australian Open, ending his long-standing document of advancing past the primary spherical of a serious for practically twenty years.
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The 24-time Grand Slam champion was drawn in Alcaraz’s half of the draw, probably organising a semi-final assembly. Nonetheless, Djokovic’s early exit has now opened up the part for Alcaraz.
Following his personal straight-sets victory over Roman Safiullin, Alcaraz acknowledged the shock of Djokovic’s early departure. He stated, “I noticed the fifth set. Clearly it was the primary time that Novak misplaced within the first spherical right here on this match, so it’s a giant shock. Somebody like Novak going out within the first spherical, it’s stunning.”
Regardless of the event, Alcaraz cautioned towards wanting too far forward, highlighting the problem of advancing by means of every spherical of a Grand Slam. He acknowledged, “However each Grand Slam is basically tough to get by means of each spherical, each participant. It’s actually powerful. It’s a must to earn the win [from] the primary ball till the final one.”
Alcaraz made a formidable return to aggressive tennis on the 2026 US Open, profitable his first singles match in over 4 months. He defeated Safiullin 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, having missed the French Open and Wimbledon since April as a consequence of a wrist harm.
