In a stunning upset at the US Open 2024, Novak Djokovic’s run was abruptly ended in the third round when he lost in four sets, 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, to Alexei Popyrin of Australia.
In addition to ending Djokovic’s quest for a 25th Grand Slam victory, this outcome shocked the tennis world because it signaled the end of a rare season in which none of the Big Three—Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Djokovic—claimed a Slam victory.
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Having just won a hard-fought gold medal at the Olympics in Paris, Djokovic looked mentally and physically exhausted against the 24-year-old Popyrin. Even though he is known for being a tough opponent who frequently prevails when not playing at his best, Djokovic found it difficult to establish his customary dominance, especially during the pivotal moments of the match.
Popyrin looked more confident and aggressive right away, belying his status as the underdog. After losing to Djokovic at Wimbledon and the Australian Open earlier in the year, Popyrin appeared committed to reversing the loss. With deft play, he broke Djokovic’s serve in the opening set and carried that lead into the second. His ability to neutralize Djokovic’s typically lethal
baseline game was evident as he mixed powerful groundstrokes with well-timed forays to the net.
Resilient to the core, Djokovic rallied in the third set, igniting expectations that he might repeat one of his signature comebacks. But Popyrin was ready this time. To the delight of the crowd and the surprise of tennis fans everywhere, he quickly rallied in the fourth set, taking an early lead and maintaining composure to win the match.
This setback highlights a potential change in the men’s tennis landscape, adding another level of intrigue to the 2024 season. With Djokovic’s exit, the door is now open for a new champion to emerge, further underscoring the growing competitiveness in the sport as the era of the Big Three begins to fade.
Djokovic’s early withdrawal from the tournament serves as a reminder that no player, no matter how good, can guarantee a victory in sports. Popyrin will face American Frances Tiafoe in the round of 16.