After Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic also fails

Novak Djokovic quickly packed his bag, raised his hands apologetically and then disappeared stunned into the New York night: The defending champion was completely unexpectedly eliminated in the third round of the US Open, thus unintentionally causing the next sensation in Flushing Meadows one day after the crushing exit of Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz.

The Serbian Olympic champion lost to the furiously playing Australian Alexei Popyrin in the Arthur Ashe Stadium with 4:6, 4:6, 6:2, 4:6 and had to abruptly bury his dream of his 25th Grand Slam title.

“He definitely played better and deserved the win. The way I felt and the way I played in this tournament, the third round is a success. I played the worst tennis of my life,” Djokovic said in the packed press room just ten minutes after his exit.

For Djokovic (37), it is the first time he has been eliminated from the US Open since 2008 (!) – the last time he missed the round of 16 at a major tournament was over seven years ago (Australian Open 2017). After the Olympic victory, he felt “a bit exhausted,” said Djokovic, but: “Life goes on.”

The Serb had fulfilled his last great sporting dream by winning the gold medal in Paris, but after that he had stressed that he was far from satisfied – the surprising defeat against Popyrin, however, is now a severe setback for the successful Grand Slam record winner, who is in the late autumn of his career.

Djokovic far from top form

Late on Friday evening, Djokovic was miles away from his best form and the nerves of steel that have characterized him for years. The four-time tournament winner had massive problems with his own serve in particular. Popyrin, number 28 in the world, took advantage of the Serb’s mistakes in the first two sets and performed far above his level.

Djokovic struck back again in the third set, but was unable to turn things around. After around three hours of play in the world’s largest tennis arena, Popyrin, who will face American Frances Tiafoe in the round of 16, used his first match point to win.

“I took my chances and played good tennis,” said Popyrin, who reached the round of 16 of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time: “To do that against the greatest player in history is incredible. A great feeling. The hard work is paying off.”

Only on Thursday, world number three Alcaraz (Spain) sensationally lost in three sets to Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp. This means that top seed Jannik Sinner from Italy remains the top favorite in the tournament.