In yet another major upset at the US Open 2024, World no. 2 Novak Djokovic was knocked out in the third round of the tournament. The Serb lost to Australia’s Alexei Popyrin 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in a shocking defeat. The loss ended Djokovic’s hopes of winning a record 25th Grand Slam title.
The defeat on Friday was the first time in 18 years that Djokovic got knocked out of the US Open in the third round. It was also his earliest loss at a major since a second-round exit at the 2017 Australian Open.
The 37-year-old Djokovic hit an unlikely 14 double faults and committed 49 unforced errors on Friday. In a disappointing show, he failed to convert five break points in the sixth game of the opening set against Popyrin, who is 12 years younger to him.
Popyrin had lost to Djokovic at the Australian Open and Wimbledon this year but arrived in New York buoyed by capturing his first Masters title in Montreal.
The 28th-ranked Australian broke for 3-2 in the second set, backing it up for 4-2 and winning the set with a confident serve and volley.
“I played some of the worst tennis I’ve ever played. Serving by far some of the worst ever. On a quick surface like this, you can’t win without a serve. You can’t win against the guys who are in form like Alexei. It was just an awful match from me”, Djokovic said after the loss.
For the first time since 2017, Djokovic will end the tennis season without a Grand Slam title. A knee injury, which required surgery, forced Djokovic to withdraw from the French Open on the eve of his quarter-final, while Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner took home the Australian Open and Wimbledon title, respectively.
Djokovic has reached the US Open final 10 times and won the title in 2011, 2015, 2018, and 2023.
The 24-time Grand Slam winner was one of the favourites to win the US Open 2025 title. He had entered the tournament fresh from winning his dream Olympic gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Alcaraz’ shocking exit in the second round of the US Open 2024 tournament a day before only boosted Djokovic’s chances of winning the title. However, the hopes turned out to be short-lived.
Also Read: Tennis Superstar Carlos Alcaraz Knocked-Out Of US Open 2024
Djokovic suggested that concentrating solely on winning the Olympic Gold was taxing on his body, leaving him less than fresh for his New York assignment. He said that despite giving his best and having no physical challenges, he simply lacked the energy required to win the match.
Also Read: Longest Match in US Open History: 3 Tie-Breakers In 5 Setter
For the first time since 2002, the 2024 tennis calendar year saw none of the Slams won by any members of the ‘Big Three’ as Spain’s Rafael Nadal did not feature and Swiss Roger Federer has retired.
On his future endevours, Djokovic stated, “Life moves on. I’ll try to recalibrate and look forward to what’s next.”
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