The defending US Open champion Novak Djokovic was eliminated last night by Australian Alexei Popyrin in the third round 64 64 26 64.
The newly crowned 2024 Olympic gold medalist did not sugarcoat the shock loss. “On my end, honestly, the way I felt and the way I played from the beginning of this tournament, third round is a success,” Djokovic said after to the media. “I have played some of the worst tennis I have ever played, honestly, serving by far the worst ever. So, yeah, if you play on a quick surface like this without the serve, without ability to win free points there, very low first-serve percentage, many double faults, then you can’t win. You can’t win, especially against the guys who are in form like Alexei who is serving big. It puts a lot of pressure on your service game. Yeah, it was just an awful match for me.”
Djokovic totaled fourteen double faults in the loss, his most ever in a Grand Slam match. The 24 time Grand Slam winner has lost in the first three rounds of a major tournament just eleven times .
There were ominous signs for Djokovic since he arrived in New York from Serbia last Tuesday afternoon. Djokovic came straight to the BJK National Tennis Center for a hit with Jiri Lehecka on Grandstand early that Tuesday evening but looked far from his best form, struggling with consistency during routine baseline hitting and then losing two tiebreakers decisively vs. Lehecka. Then in his first two rounds, Djokovic was ordinary vs Albot and Djere.
Djokovic had beaten Popyrin in four sets at both Australian Open and Wimbledon this year. This win over the 2 seed delivers the 25 year old Popyrin, ATP no. 28, to the fourth round of a major for the first time.
Alexei Popyrin · Dunlop · Fila · US Open
Scoop Malinowski · August 31, 2024 at 12:36 pm
Malisse is Popyrin’s coach, and has a 1-1 career match record vs Novak, both three setters in 2010 2011 Basel Queens.
Sam · August 31, 2024 at 9:05 pm
I’m disappointed, but Djokovic can’t keep phoning it in if he wants to win another big title. He didn’t play a single warmup, so his tennis was undercooked. I mean, whose fault is that? 😏
And who knows—maybe dismissing all of his former team wasn’t the greatest idea after all. 🤨
Scoop Malinowski · September 1, 2024 at 7:17 am
Sam, no coach and a bunch of tired yes men isn’t the best idea. zimonjic didn’t work out for whatever reason why. it’s beginning to feel like Olympic gold could be the last hurrah.
Sam · September 1, 2024 at 9:00 pm
Scoop, as the proverb goes, pride comes before a fall. 😒
Does Djokovic still have time to turn the Titanic back around? Yes, I think so, but it’s going to take a good amount of hard work and humility. But if he wants it bad enough, he’s certainly capable of it. 💪
Scoop Malinowski · September 2, 2024 at 7:27 am
Sam, he seemed very surprised how poorly he played vs popyrin. he may have lost his mojo without knowing it. that’s how it happens. ask Murray.
Sam · September 2, 2024 at 8:56 pm
Scoop, I guess he’s just used to operating on cruise control, but now that he’s 37, that ain’t gonna cut it anymore. 😉