Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz described Novak Djokovic’s unexpected first-round loss at the US Open as a “big surprise” but emphasised his intention to focus on his own tournament progression match by match, according to the ATP Website.
Add TNM on GoogleThe 24-time Grand Slam champion was drawn in Alcaraz’s half of the draw, potentially setting up a semi-final meeting.
Following his own straight-sets victory over Roman Safiullin, Alcaraz acknowledged the surprise of Djokovic’s early departure.
He stated, “But every Grand Slam is really difficult to get through every round, every player.
He defeated Safiullin 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, having missed the French Open and Wimbledon since April due to a wrist injury.
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz described Novak Djokovic’s unexpected first-round loss at the US Open as a “big surprise” but emphasised his intention to focus on his own tournament progression match by match, according to the ATP Website.
Djokovic was defeated in five sets by Mariano Navone in a match lasting over four hours at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The scores were 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1. This marked Djokovic’s first opening-round defeat at a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open, ending his long-standing record of advancing beyond the first round of a major for nearly two decades.
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The 24-time Grand Slam champion was drawn in Alcaraz’s half of the draw, potentially setting up a semi-final meeting. However, Djokovic’s early exit has now opened up the section for Alcaraz.
Following his own straight-sets victory over Roman Safiullin, Alcaraz acknowledged the surprise of Djokovic’s early departure. He said, “I saw the fifth set. Obviously it was the first time that Novak lost in the first round here in this tournament, so it’s a big surprise. Someone like Novak going out in the first round, it’s surprising.”
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Despite the development, Alcaraz cautioned against looking too far ahead, highlighting the challenge of advancing through each round of a Grand Slam. He stated, “But every Grand Slam is really difficult to get through every round, every player. It’s really tough. You have to earn the win [from] the first ball until the last one.”
Alcaraz made an impressive return to competitive tennis at the 2026 US Open, winning his first singles match in over four months. He defeated Safiullin 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, having missed the French Open and Wimbledon since April due to a wrist injury.
