ROLAND-GARROS
17 May - 6 June 2027
There has only been one day of the 2026 US Open, but already there has been a series of remarkable headlines. Nothing comes close to Novak Djokovic losing a Grand Slam opening round for the first time since 2006.
ATP/WTA: Djokovic suffers US Open exit, Parry joins title club
24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic struggled physically in five set defeat by Navone.
'An awful feeling'
The four-time US Open champion looked on course to start his quest for major No.25 in style, up a break in the fourth set, however, physical issues and an inspired Mariano Navone culminated in a 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 defeat on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
A gladiatorial run of 78 Grand Slam first round victories came to a halt, the 39-year-old reduced to tears at times in a brutal four hours and 36 minute tussle.
"I think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me. It’s something that I’ve been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year - vomiting, serious issue there. And then my whole body starts to collapse, basically, cramping and pain,” admitted Djokovic.
"Yeah, the back just gave up in the end, and the shoulder, and I couldn’t close it out. I was a break up in the fourth, but just struggled all the way, since the fourth game of the match.
"How I felt with my body and playing, it was really not enjoyable, and I pretty much despised every moment that I spent on the court for that… But the love and appreciation they (the crowd) gave me in the end really touched my heart."
Prior to overcoming Djokovic, world No.49 Navone had only a single US Open match win to his name.
“For sure, it’s the best thing I’ve felt on a court. This amazing court, the biggest stage. The way we played, five sets against the ‘goat.’ Not something you do every day. I’m very happy,” stated Navone. “It means a lot for me. It’s a dream come true.”
Navone’s reward is a second round clash with 2016 US Open champion Stan Wawrinka or Matteo Berrettini.
Diary switch pays off for Parry
Frenchwoman Diane Parry didn’t plan on competing in Monterrey just before the US Open, but that decision was richly rewarded with a maiden WTA title on Sunday night.
Earlier this month, Parry defeated Belgian Elise Mertens in a deciding set in the WTA 1000 Cincinnati Open and repeated that trick 6-4, 0-6, 6-3 to lift up the trophy in Mexico.
Parry had previously lost all six tour-level semi-finals, cracking that record with a finely poised 7-6(7), 6-4 triumph over No.5 seed Ann Li to book a silverware showdown spot. On top of that, all five of Parry’s wins in Monterrey were against Top 50 talent.
"A crazy week. I came here with almost nothing," said Parry. "I didn't know what to expect for this tournament and sometimes that's when nice stories happen ... so I'm just super happy and super thankful for what I lived this week."
The 23-year-old is the second Frenchwoman to take the top prize in Monterrey, following Marion Bartoli at the inaugural edition in 2009. As a reward Parry rises 19 spots to world No.31.
Instantly over to New York City, Parry opens her US Open campaign across the net from experienced Swiss Viktorija Golubic on Monday.
Buse launches to title boost
Peruvian talisman Ignacio Buse powered to his second career title on Saturday with a dominant 6-3, 6-2 victory over Arthur Fery in Winston-Salem, USA.
The 22-year-old was ranked No.135 this time last year, but rises from No.36 up to a career-high No.30.
"It is very special for me," said Buse, who also won the ATP 500 Hamburg prior to Roland-Garros. "With all my team, we have been working very, very hard. Some things are very tough that we go through as tennis players, but I also want to congratulate Arthur and his team."
Jetting to the Big Apple, Buse must recover immediately for a tough US Open first round with home hope Marcos Giron on Tuesday.