In a stunning turn of events, Novak Djokovic, widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, faced an unexpected and early exit from the 2024 US Open. The tennis superstar, known for his resilience and exceptional skill, was uncharacteristically critical of his performance, attributing his loss to a series of missteps, particularly his poor serving, which he identified as the main culprit behind his third-round defeat.
“I have played some of the worst tennis I have ever played, honestly,” Djokovic confessed, speaking just after midnight as Friday turned to Saturday. “Serving — by far — the worst ever.”
A Night of Frustration and Missed Opportunities
Djokovic’s third-round exit was nothing short of shocking, considering his stature in the tennis world and his illustrious track record at Grand Slam tournaments. The Serbian icon, who has been a dominant force in men’s tennis for over a decade, was visibly frustrated with his performance on the court. His match against the 28th-seeded Australian, Alexei Popyrin, ended in a 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 loss, marking one of the most unexpected outcomes in the tournament’s recent history.
Djokovic’s struggles were evident from the start. His serve, typically one of his strongest assets, was unusually erratic. Throughout the match, he committed a staggering 14 double-faults, bringing his total for the tournament to 32. This uncharacteristic serving performance was a significant factor in his downfall, as it gave Popyrin multiple opportunities to break his serve and gain control of the match.
A String of Surprising Exits at Flushing Meadows
Djokovic’s loss came on the heels of another major upset at Flushing Meadows, where the 2022 champion Carlos Alcaraz was eliminated just a day earlier. These back-to-back upsets have shaken the men’s draw at the US Open, leaving fans and analysts alike in disbelief. The last time Djokovic experienced such an early exit at a major tournament was at the 2017 Australian Open, where he was defeated in the second round by Denis Istomin. This third-round loss at the US Open also marks only the third time in the Open era that two of the top three men’s seeds have been knocked out before the fourth round; the other instances were in 1973 and 2000.
“It was just an awful match for me,” Djokovic said, his disappointment palpable. “I wasn’t playing even close to my best. It’s not good to be in that kind of state where you feel OK physically, and of course you’re motivated because it’s a Grand Slam, but you just are not able to find your game. That’s it. The game is falling apart, and I guess you have to accept that tournaments like this happen.”
The Quest for Grand Slam History Comes to a Halt
Djokovic entered the 2024 US Open with high hopes and lofty goals. He was aiming to make history by becoming the first player to win 25 Grand Slam singles titles, a record that would have further solidified his legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats. However, this goal will have to wait, as his journey at Flushing Meadows was cut short in a way that few could have predicted.
This defeat also means that Djokovic finishes the year without a Grand Slam title, a rare occurrence in his storied career. After undergoing knee surgery in June, Djokovic had been working tirelessly to return to top form, but the demands of the season and the recovery process proved to be more challenging than anticipated. The last time Djokovic went an entire year without winning a major championship was in 2017, and before that, it hadn’t happened since 2010.
Moreover, 2024 marks the first year since 2002 that none of the Big Three of men’s tennis — Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer — have claimed a Grand Slam title. This statistic underscores the changing landscape of men’s tennis, as younger players continue to make their mark on the sport.
A Historic Low for Djokovic at the US Open
Djokovic’s third-round exit at the 2024 US Open ties his worst-ever performance at the tournament. The only other times he was eliminated this early at Flushing Meadows were in 2005 and 2006, early in his career before he had established himself as a dominant force in the sport. The man who defeated Djokovic in 2006, International Tennis Hall of Fame member Lleyton Hewitt, was present in Popyrin’s guest box at Arthur Ashe Stadium during this match, adding a layer of historical irony to the occasion.
Popyrin, who had never defeated Djokovic in their previous three encounters, recognized that the Serbian was not playing at his usual level. “He wasn’t playing his best tennis; I was waiting for him to kind of step up,” Popyrin observed.
However, Popyrin was determined not to let Djokovic stage one of his famous comebacks. “I didn’t want to be one of those moments where Novak kind of stepped up and came back from two-sets-to-love down,” Popyrin admitted. “That was going through my head.”
Djokovic’s Emotional and Physical Fatigue
The defeat at the US Open was particularly difficult for Djokovic, given the emotional and physical toll the season had taken on him. At 37 years old, Djokovic has reached the final at Arthur Ashe Stadium 10 times, capturing the title in 2011, 2015, 2018, and 2023. His experience and success at this venue made his early exit even more surprising.
On Friday night, however, Djokovic appeared sluggish and emotionally drained, a stark contrast to the fierce competitor fans are accustomed to seeing. His performance may have been affected by the grueling schedule he had endured in the weeks leading up to the tournament. Just a few weeks earlier, Djokovic had claimed his first Olympic gold medal for Serbia by defeating Carlos Alcaraz in the final at the Paris Games. This victory, while historic, may have left him physically and mentally exhausted.
“Obviously, it had an effect,” Djokovic acknowledged when discussing the impact of his Olympic campaign. “I spent a lot of energy winning the gold, and I did arrive in New York just not feeling fresh mentally and physically. But because it’s the US Open, I gave it a shot and I tried my best. I mean, I didn’t have any physical issues. I just felt out of gas. And you could see that with the way I played.”
The Men’s Draw Opens Up with Djokovic and Alcaraz Out
The unexpected early exits of both Djokovic and Alcaraz have left the men’s draw at the US Open wide open. Alcaraz, who entered the tournament as the No. 3 seed and a favorite to win after his triumphs at the French Open and Wimbledon, was defeated by the 74th-ranked Botic van de Zandschulp in a straight-sets match on Thursday night. This loss, combined with Djokovic’s departure, has dramatically reshaped the tournament landscape.
With Djokovic and Alcaraz out of the picture, Daniil Medvedev remains the only past US Open men’s champion still in the tournament as Week 1 draws to a close. Medvedev, who won his lone Grand Slam title at the US Open in 2021, was scheduled to face Flavio Cobolli in the third round on Saturday.
Popyrin’s Breakthrough Moment
For Alexei Popyrin, the victory over Djokovic represents a significant breakthrough in his career. The 25-year-old Australian had never progressed beyond the third round of a Grand Slam before, and his record against Djokovic was a dismal 0-3 heading into the match. Additionally, Popyrin had struggled in third-round matches at majors, losing all six of his previous attempts to advance further.
However, Popyrin’s recent form suggested that he was ready to make a statement. Less than three weeks before the US Open, he secured the biggest title of his career at a hard-court tournament in Montreal, where he defeated five opponents ranked in the top 20. This victory provided Popyrin with the confidence and momentum he needed to challenge Djokovic at Flushing Meadows.
Throughout the match, Popyrin’s game plan was executed to perfection. He was particularly effective at the net, winning all 10 of his serve-and-volley approaches and 25 of his 36 total net points. Djokovic, on the other hand, struggled in this area, winning just 19 of his 40 net approaches. Popyrin’s ability to keep Djokovic off balance with his aggressive net play and powerful passing shots was a key factor in his victory.
Popyrin’s forehand was another weapon that proved crucial in the match. He recorded 22 of his 50 total winners with his forehand, consistently putting Djokovic under pressure with his powerful groundstrokes. Popyrin also broke Djokovic’s serve five times, including a pivotal break in the fourth set that gave him a 3-2 lead after a grueling 10-minute game. Popyrin then broke Djokovic again to go up 5-2, putting himself in a position to serve for the match.
Although Djokovic managed to break back once, Popyrin remained composed and held his nerve in the final game, serving out the match at love. The victory was sealed when Djokovic sent a forehand long, ending the match and securing Popyrin’s place in the fourth round.
A New Challenger Emerges
Popyrin’s victory over Djokovic has catapulted him into the spotlight as a potential contender at the US Open. His next challenge will be a fourth-round match against No. 20 seed Frances Tiafoe, who advanced with a hard-fought five-set victory over fellow American Ben Shelton. The match between Popyrin and Tiafoe promises to be an exciting encounter, with both players looking to continue their strong form and make a deep run in the tournament.
Djokovic, reflecting on Popyrin’s performance, acknowledged the Australian’s potential. “If he serves well, plays well, he can beat anybody,” Djokovic said. “Look, Alcaraz is out. I’m out. Some big upsets. The draw is opening up.”
The Future of Men’s Tennis: A New Era on the Horizon?
The 2024 US Open has already proven to be a tournament of surprises, with the early exits of top players like Djokovic and Alcaraz signaling a potential shift in the landscape of men’s tennis. As the younger generation of players continues to rise, the dominance of the Big Three may be coming to an end. While Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer have collectively defined an era of men’s tennis, the emergence of new talents like Popyrin, Alcaraz, and others suggests that the sport is entering a new chapter.
For Djokovic, the 2024 season will be remembered as one of challenges and setbacks, but also as a testament to his enduring commitment to the sport. Despite the disappointment of his early exit at the US Open, Djokovic’s legacy as one of the greatest players in history remains intact. As he looks ahead to the future, Djokovic will no doubt continue to pursue the records and milestones that have defined his remarkable career.
The 2024 US Open is far from over, and with the men’s draw now wide open, fans can expect more thrilling matches and unexpected outcomes as the tournament progresses. As the competition intensifies, the stage is set for a new champion to emerge and make their mark on the world of tennis.
The Information is Collected from ESPN and Yahoo.
