Novak Djokovic Falls Out of ATP Top 10 For First Time Since 2018 After US Open Exit

Novak Djokovic’s shock first-round defeat at the 2026 US Open has brought an end to the historic ATP top-10 presence of tennis’ Big Three. The latest ATP Rankings, released after the conclusion of the year’s Grand Slam season, saw Djokovic fall to 12th place following his unexpected loss to Argentina’s Mariano Navone. The result marked a significant decline for the 39-year-old Serbian, who had remained among the world’s top 10 players for several years despite injuries and a demanding schedule.

Djokovic was defeated by Navone 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a marathon match that lasted four hours and 36 minutes. The defeat was his earliest exit from a Grand Slam tournament since the 2006 Australian Open, when he also lost in the opening round. The result also ended his latest spell inside the ATP top 10, marking the first time since 2018 that Djokovic has been ranked outside the elite group.

The Serbian first entered the ATP top 10 in 2007. However, he slipped out of the group in November 2017 after an elbow injury forced him to retire during his Wimbledon quarterfinal match. Djokovic returned to the top 10 a year later after winning the Wimbledon title, beginning another prolonged period among the leading players in men’s tennis. His latest ranking fall reflects the impact of recent physical struggles and the increasingly difficult challenge of maintaining consistency at the highest level at the age of 39.

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The development also ends a remarkable streak involving Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. For the first time since October 2002, none of the three players will feature in the ATP top 10. Across their careers, the Big Three won 66 Grand Slam singles titles, with Djokovic claiming 24, Nadal 22 and Federer 20. At least one member of the trio had remained inside the top 10 throughout the period, which lasted 8,736 consecutive days, equivalent to 23 years and 11 months.

Federer was the first of the three to retire, ending his professional career in 2022 after appearing at the Laver Cup. Nadal continued competing for another two years before making his final appearance at the 2024 Davis Cup. Djokovic remains active and has indicated that he wants to continue playing until the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, despite the physical toll that has affected him during recent months.

Meanwhile, newly crowned US Open champion Alexander Zverev strengthened his position at No. 2 in the latest rankings and reduced the gap to world No. 1 Jannik Sinner to 1,810 points. Zverev also holds nearly twice as many ranking points as third-placed Carlos Alcaraz. With Djokovic now outside the top 10 and Federer and Nadal retired, the latest rankings underline the changing landscape of men’s tennis as a new generation continues to take centre stage.

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