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Djokovic Falls in US Open First Round, Earliest Grand Slam Exit in 20 Years

Serbia's Novak Djokovic acknowledges the crowd after losing his first round match against Argentina's Mariano Navone at the US Open, Flushing Meadows, New York, United States, August 30, 2026. (Reuters)
Serbia's Novak Djokovic acknowledges the crowd after losing his first round match against Argentina's Mariano Navone at the US Open, Flushing Meadows, New York, United States, August 30, 2026. (Reuters)
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Djokovic Falls in US Open First Round, Earliest Grand Slam Exit in 20 Years

Serbia's Novak Djokovic acknowledges the crowd after losing his first round match against Argentina's Mariano Navone at the US Open, Flushing Meadows, New York, United States, August 30, 2026. (Reuters)
Serbia's Novak Djokovic acknowledges the crowd after losing his first round match against Argentina's Mariano Navone at the US Open, Flushing Meadows, New York, United States, August 30, 2026. (Reuters)

Ailing Novak Djokovic suffered his earliest Grand Slam exit in 20 years on Sunday, falling in five brutal sets to Mariano Navone in the first round of the US Open.

The 48th-ranked Argentine's 7-6 (7/5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 victory ended Djokovic's latest bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title.

It also ended his run of 78 Grand Slam first-round victories, a streak stretching all the way back to Djokovic's 2006 loss to Paul Goldstein at the 2006 Australian Open.

Djokovic was seen vomiting on court and struggled with late-match cramps but appeared to have finally taken control when he broke Navone for a 2-1 lead in the fourth set with a vintage backhand winner down the line.

But Navone won the next five games, raising his arms in celebration after fighting off two break points for a 5-2 lead and breaking Djokovic again to force the fifth set.

Djokovic took a medical timeout before the final set, receiving massage on his spine and another delivery of medication.

But Navone jumped to a 3-0 lead in the decisive set and there was no road back for the Serb as his opponent dropped just one point on his own serve as he sprinted to the finish line.

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FIFA Postpones FIFAe Finals in Saudi Arabia

The FIFA logo is seen before the FIFA Council meeting at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, 15 October 2026. EPA/CLAUDIO THOMA
The FIFA logo is seen before the FIFA Council meeting at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, 15 October 2026. EPA/CLAUDIO THOMA
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FIFA Postpones FIFAe Finals in Saudi Arabia

The FIFA logo is seen before the FIFA Council meeting at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, 15 October 2026. EPA/CLAUDIO THOMA
The FIFA logo is seen before the FIFA Council meeting at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, 15 October 2026. EPA/CLAUDIO THOMA

FIFA and the Saudi Esports Federation have postponed the FIFAe Finals 2026 scheduled to take place in Jeddah from October 16 to 25, organizers said on Thursday.

"The decision follows an assessment ⁠of recent developments ⁠in the region and their impact on the logistical arrangements required to stage the tournament," organizers of the global video game tournament said.

"Further announcements on the FIFAe Finals will be communicated in due course."

FIFA expressed its appreciation to the Kingdom and the Saudi Esports Federation for their support and cooperation in preparations for the FIFAe Finals 2026, building on Saudi Arabia’s successful hosting of previous editions of the tournament.

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Malaysia Says Considering Bringing F1 Race Back

A man wearing a face mask takes a photo with his phone, with Kuala Lumpur’s skyline in the background shrouded in haze from regional wildfires, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, October 15, 2026. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain
A man wearing a face mask takes a photo with his phone, with Kuala Lumpur’s skyline in the background shrouded in haze from regional wildfires, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, October 15, 2026. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain
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Malaysia Says Considering Bringing F1 Race Back

A man wearing a face mask takes a photo with his phone, with Kuala Lumpur’s skyline in the background shrouded in haze from regional wildfires, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, October 15, 2026. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain
A man wearing a face mask takes a photo with his phone, with Kuala Lumpur’s skyline in the background shrouded in haze from regional wildfires, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, October 15, 2026. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain

Malaysia is considering returning as a regular host of a Formula One race, either annually or once every few years, with the government assessing the costs and economic benefits, its sports minister said on Thursday.

Malaysia's Sepang circuit had hosted a leg of the Formula One championship annually between 1999 and 2017 before being dropped from the calendar amid declining ticket sales and ⁠concerns over rising ⁠hosting costs

It returned earlier this month as a one-off host for a rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix, after the race was cancelled at its original venue due to ongoing tensions in the Middle ⁠East.

Discussions on bringing the race regularly back to Malaysia were still at an early stage, including a proposal to host it once every few years in partnership with another country, Youth and Sports Minister Mohammed Taufiq Johari told parliament.

An assessment report was expected to be submitted to cabinet by November, Reuters quoted him as saying.

"Staging F1 is ⁠not ⁠cheap. It involves quite substantial costs, and there are several important aspects that we need to assess," he said.

While this month's event was estimated to have generated around 950 million ringgit ($233 million) in economic returns, the government would need to consider if "we would obtain the same returns (every year), and whether we are ready in terms of the various infrastructure requirements," he said.

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Franco Colapinto Calls Out his Fans for Social Media Attacks on F1 Rivals

Alpine's Argentine driver Franco Colapinto (R) drives in front of Williams' Thai driver Alexander Albon during the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore on October 11, 2026. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)
Alpine's Argentine driver Franco Colapinto (R) drives in front of Williams' Thai driver Alexander Albon during the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore on October 11, 2026. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)
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Franco Colapinto Calls Out his Fans for Social Media Attacks on F1 Rivals

Alpine's Argentine driver Franco Colapinto (R) drives in front of Williams' Thai driver Alexander Albon during the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore on October 11, 2026. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)
Alpine's Argentine driver Franco Colapinto (R) drives in front of Williams' Thai driver Alexander Albon during the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore on October 11, 2026. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)

Formula 1 driver Franco Colapinto has called on his fans to stop social media campaigns attacking other drivers and his Alpine team staff, saying they're holding back his career.

Since the Argentine driver's F1 debut in 2024, fans have sent negative and sometimes abusive comments on social media targeting drivers who clashed with him on the track. Among them were champion Lando Norris and FIA race stewards who penalized Colapinto.

Alpine also stepped in this year to condemn online abuse and deny claims it was trying to “sabotage” Colapinto to favor teammate Pierre Gasly.

“I know it makes you feel very proud when things go well for me, when I score points, for me and for the whole team, and I’ll always be very grateful for that," Colapinto said in a video on Instagram late Wednesday.

"But there are times when we go over the line, when instead of supporting me we end up criticizing, we end up attacking other drivers, other colleagues, my teammates, my mechanics, my engineers, people I work with day in and day out.

“I know you’re thinking that you’re defending me, but you’re actually doing the opposite. You don’t help me or my future, and I really want you to understand that this is what we have to change, all of us together.”

The Associated Press said that Colapinto became racing-mad Argentina’s first F1 driver in 23 years when he made his debut in 2024 with Williams.

He moved to Alpine the following year, initially as a reserve, then was promoted when the team fired Jack Doohan, who later complained he'd received death threats around that time.

Colapinto is having his most successful season this year and is 12th in the standings, as well as picking up a best career race finish of sixth. Alpine confirmed in August his contract was being extended for next season.