US Open Day 1: Djokovic’s brutal exit & Venus’ 2AM heartbreak

That’s a wrap on a dramatic Day 1 at the US Open! Novak Djokovic is OUT in the first round of a Grand Slam for the first time since 2006, losing a five-set battle to Mariano Navone in the New York heat. After the concerns over his physical condition in Cincinnati, just how significant is this defeat for his pursuit of Grand Slam No.25 — and what does it mean for Djokovic’s future? There was late-night drama on Arthur Ashe too, as Venus Williams made US Open history with the latest-starting and latest-finishing first-round match ever. She pushed Sofia Kenin to a second-set tiebreak before bowing out — but should she continue to receive wildcards?

Plus, Barbora Krejcikova is already heading home (no Sabalenka match-up R3!), Jessica Pegula makes a strong start to her World No.1 bid, and Daniil Medvedev gets through comfortably — chewing gum and all. We also have mixed fortunes for the Brits with Toby Samuel cracking the Top 100, some Federer nostalgia being inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Stan Wawrinka wracking up the airmiles in more wildcard drama, and a look ahead to Day 2 with the return of defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.

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