Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic suffered a shock defeat in the third round of the U.S. Open, losing to Alexei Popyrin of Australia. Djokovic, the No. 2 seed, was aiming to become the first player in history to win 25 Grand Slam singles titles but failed to do so. This loss marked the first time Djokovic finished a year without winning a major championship since 2017 and the first season since 2002 that Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer did not win a Slam trophy. Djokovic’s exit matched his worst showing at Flushing Meadows, with previous early losses in 2005 and 2006.
During the match, Djokovic struggled, double-faulting 14 times and appearing physically sluggish and emotionally flat. This came after he secured Serbia’s first Olympic gold medal by winning the men’s singles at the Paris Games earlier in the month. Despite feeling mentally and physically drained after the Olympics, Djokovic attempted to give his best at the U.S. Open but ultimately fell short. Popyrin, who defeated Djokovic, will face Frances Tiafoe in the next round as he aims to reach his first Grand Slam quarterfinal.
After the defeat, Djokovic acknowledged the impact of winning the gold medal on his energy levels, stating that he arrived in New York feeling mentally and physically fatigued. He mentioned feeling out of gas during the match and attributed his subpar performance to his lack of freshness. Djokovic has had a successful history at the U.S. Open, having reached the final 10 times and winning the title four times, in 2011, 2015, 2018, and 2023. However, on this occasion, he was unable to find his game and was eliminated in the third round.
Djokovic’s loss at the U.S. Open came at a time when other top seeds, like Carlos Alcaraz, also faced early exits from the tournament. Alcaraz, who was considered a favorite to win the tournament, was defeated in the second round, adding to the series of surprising upsets at the event. Djokovic recognized the high level of tennis being played at the tournament, mentioning that with Alcaraz and himself out, the draw was opening up for other players. Despite the disappointment of his early exit, Djokovic remained respectful of Popyrin’s performance and acknowledged that the Australian player had the potential to defeat anyone if he played well.
In summary, Novak Djokovic’s unexpected defeat at the U.S. Open marked a significant moment in his career as he failed to win a major championship for the first time since 2017. The impact of winning the Olympic gold medal left Djokovic feeling mentally and physically fatigued, leading to a subpar performance at the tournament. His loss, along with other early exits by top seeds, demonstrated the unpredictability and competitiveness of tennis. While Djokovic’s quest for a 25th Grand Slam title was put on hold, Popyrin’s victory highlighted the potential for new faces to make a name for themselves in the sport.
