Novak Djokovic: Djokovic opens US Open bid against Mariano Navone
Novak Djokovic begins his 2026 US Open campaign against Mariano Navone on Sunday, pursuing a record 25th Grand Slam title. The latest available reporting confirms the first-round fixture and his preparation for the tournament, but does not establish the match result. Express Sport Sports Illustrated
Djokovic opens US Open bid against Mariano Navone
The four-time US Open champion is scheduled to face Navone in the first round at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. It will be their first meeting, while Navone is making his third US Open appearance and has not previously progressed beyond the second round at the tournament. Sports Illustrated
Djokovic is attempting to win a 25th major title, which would move him beyond Margaret Court for the most Grand Slam singles titles in tennis history, according to reporting from Rediff. He last won the US Open in 2023 and has not reached the final there since. Rediff Sports Illustrated
The draw could bring a semi-final against Carlos Alcaraz. Jannik Sinner is absent from the tournament through injury, while Alcaraz is returning after missing the French Open and Wimbledon with a right wrist problem. Express Sport The Guardian
His form and preparation before New York
The Guardian reported that Djokovic had competed only once since his Wimbledon semi-final run, losing his opening match at the Cincinnati Open to Thiago Agustín Tirante while dealing with the humidity. He said the early defeat gave him about two weeks to train and prepare physically and mentally for the US Open. The Guardian
His 2026 results listed by Sports Illustrated include a runner-up finish at the Australian Open and a 14-6 record before the US Open. He also reached the Wimbledon semi-finals. Sports Illustrated
Despite those recent deep runs, Djokovic has not won another major since the 2023 US Open. Rediff reported that he reached two Grand Slam finals and six semi-finals after that victory, while last year he lost in the semi-finals at all four majors. Rediff
What remains unresolved
Djokovic has rejected suggestions that he is close to retirement. In comments reported from a documentary released earlier this month, he said he was still competing at the highest level and remained focused on proving he could win. Rediff
The immediate question is whether he can progress past Navone in his opening match and begin another run towards the title. The available reports confirm the scheduled first-round contest, but they do not report a completed score or winner.