Novak Djokovic dropped out of ATP top 10 after shocking first round loss at US Open

Novak Djokovic’s shock first-round exit at the 2026 US Open saw him fall out of the top 10 in the ATP rankings after the latest standings were released on Monday.

Djokovic dropped seven places, from fifth to 12th, in the latest rankings after his first-round loss to Mariano Navone in the Big Apple. This is the first time since October 2002 that none of the members of the Big Three – Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer – are in the top ten of the ATP rankings.

Federer, a 20-time Grand Slam winner, retired in 2022, while 22-time major winner Nadal retired in 2024. Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, is still going strong at 39 as he looks for an unprecedented 25th major to surpass Margaret Court’s 24 titles.

However, his last attempt at 25th place ended when he began to struggle physically and vomited during a game against Navone. “I was very proud of all my achievements in the past, but now this is happening now,” Djokovic said after the defeat in New York.

Speaking of rankings, Federer entered the top 10 for the first time in October 2002 and remained there until the end of 2016. He was world number one for 237 weeks. Nadal entered the top 10 for the first time in April 2005 with a stellar performance on clay as an 18-year-old. Nadal remained in the top 10 for a record 912 consecutive weeks through 2023.

Meanwhile, Djokovic reached the top ten in 2007. The great Serb held first place in the world for a record 428 weeks.

Djokovic’s first-round exit at the 2026 US Open is his first exit since the 2006 Australian Open and his first first-round loss at the US Open. “I think it was obvious that it was a terrible feeling for me on the court. Unfortunately, this is something I’ve experienced in almost every match this year. Vomiting and vomiting is a serious problem. Then my whole body starts to break down, mainly cramps and pain,” Djokovic said after the defeat, as quoted by the ATP.