Novak Djokovic bows out after loss to Alexei Popyrin, ends calendar year without a Grand Slam

Former world number one Novak Djokovic was stunned at US Open 2024 with a shocking loss to Alexei Popyrin, of Australia, in the third-round of the men's singles on Friday (Aug 30), at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

With this, Djokovic -- who recently won gold in the Paris Olympics -- ended the calendar year without a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2017. Moreover, this became the first-ever instance for Djokovic to not reach the fourth-round of the US Open in 18 years. He went down to Popyrin in four sets -- 4-6, 4-6, 6-2, 4-6.

Djokovic didn't look in his elements from the word go. He lacked energy to dictate terms and plenty of unforced errors pushed him back, with a lot to be done in the latter half. While the Serb is someone who is known to make a late comeback, making a comeback eight times from two sets down in Grand Slams, it wasn't meant to be this time around versus Popyrin.

Popyrin started confidently versus the defending champion and was up for the challenge. Djokovic's lacklustre form helped his cause as he won the first two sets with ease, 6-4, 6-4. While the Serb showed his class and experience to win the third set, Popyrin was in no mood to take the game to the fifth set. He brought his A-game, pumping up the crowd in the penultimate set. He got a double break up early in the set and matched Djokovic shot-to-shot from the baseline. His incredible display of groundstrokes and forehand winners ensured the end of Djokovic's campaign at the ongoing US Open.

While Djokovic's serves let him down big time, win percentage of just 54 per cent, he made as many as 49 unforced errors (one less than Popyrin but they came at crucial moments of the contest).

After the loss, Djokovic said, "The way I played from the beginning of the tournament reaching the third round is a success. I have played some of my worst tennis ever."

Djokovic admitted that the effort and aftermath of winning an Olympic gold, in Paris, early this month, impacted his New York campaign.

The 37-year-old opined, "Obviously it had an effect. I spent a lot of energy winning the gold, and I did arrive to New York just not feeling fresh mentally and physically. But because it's the US Open, I gave it a shot and I tried my best. I didn't have any physical issues. I just felt out of gas."

With the loss, Djokovic remains tied with Margaret Court with 24 Grand Slam titles (most-ever). This is the second upset at this year's US Open after Carlos Alcaraz's exit, a day before, losing to Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp in straight sets. Thus, this became the first instance since 1973 where the second and the third seeds bowed out before the fourth-round in the men's singles at the US Open.