Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic suffered an upset at the U.S. Open when he lost in the third round to 28th-seeded Alexei Popyrin of Australia. Djokovic expressed disappointment in his performance, admitting that he was not playing close to his best and that his game had fallen apart. This loss marked a significant milestone for Djokovic, as it was the first time since 2017 that he completed a year without claiming at least one major championship. Additionally, this year marked the first season since 2002 that Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer did not win a Grand Slam trophy.
Djokovic, who had been seeking to become the first player in tennis history with 25 Grand Slam singles titles, was unable to achieve this milestone at the U.S. Open. Despite reaching the final at Arthur Ashe Stadium 10 times and winning the title in 2011, 2015, 2018, and 2023, Djokovic’s performance in the tournament was lackluster. His defeat matched his worst showing at Flushing Meadows, with the only other times he was beaten in the third round at the U.S. Open coming in 2005 and 2006. Djokovic attributed his underwhelming performance to feeling out of gas mentally and physically following his win at the Paris Games earlier in the month.
Following his loss to Popyrin, Djokovic expressed confidence in the Australian player’s abilities, noting that if he serves well and plays his best, he has the potential to beat anyone. Popyrin is now aiming to reach his first Grand Slam quarterfinal by defeating No. 20 Frances Tiafoe in the next round. Djokovic’s unexpected exit from the U.S. Open has opened up the draw, with other top players like Carlos Alcaraz also suffering early defeats. Djokovic’s disappointing performance at the U.S. Open comes after securing his first Olympic gold medal for Serbia at the Paris Games, indicating that he may have been feeling the effects of his recent achievements.
Overall, Djokovic’s loss at the U.S. Open signals a significant shift in the tennis world, with one of the sport’s greatest players failing to achieve his desired outcome in the tournament. Despite his past successes and numerous Grand Slam titles, Djokovic’s early exit from the U.S. Open serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of sports and the challenges that even the most accomplished athletes can face. The Australian player Popyrin’s victory over Djokovic underscores the talent and skill present in the next generation of tennis players, as he looks to make his mark in the tournament by advancing to the quarterfinals.
