Australia’s Alexei Popyrin beat Novak Djokovic 6-4 6-4 2-6 6-4 in the third round of the Grand Slam on Friday as the latter failed to retain the form that helped him win the Paris Olympics gold medal earlier this month.
If Djokovic could have claimed the title, he would have become the first playerwith 25 Grand Slam singles titles. “I have played some of the worst tennis I have ever played, honestly,” Djokovic said on Saturday early morning.
“It was just an awful match for me,” the player said. “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 defending US Open champion has now failed to clinch a major title in 2024, with Grand Slam being the final one this year. This is the first time Djokovic is facing championship drought since 2017. In the past, he has reached the final in Ashe 10 times, leaving with the title in 2011, 2015, 2018 and 2023.
Since 2002, this is the first season when none of the Big Three of men’s tennis Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer earned a Slam trophy.
For the No. 2-seeded Djokovic, the latest exit is his worst performance at Flushing Meadows as he double-faulted 14 times during Friday’s game.
Popyrin, who is seeded No. 28, will try to reach his first Grand Slam quarterfinal after facing No. 20 Frances Tiafoe. Friday’s victory is the Australian’s biggest win as he enters the round of 16 of a major tournament for the first time.
Talking about Popyrin, Djokovic said, “If he serves well, plays well, he can beat anybody. Look, Alcaraz is out. I’m out. Some big upsets. The draw is opening up.”
