In a dramatic turn of events at the US Open, Novak Djokovic, the tennis maestro, found himself facing an unexpected defeat in the third round on Friday night. The Superb Serb, known for his incredible comebacks, seemed poised to create another miraculous run at a Grand Slam title, only to fall short in a stunning loss to Alexei Popyrin.
Throughout his illustrious career, Djokovic has often struggled at the US Open, with the tournament proving to be a challenge for him. Despite his dominant performances at other Grand Slam events, such as the Australian Open where he boasts an impressive 10 titles, Djokovic has only managed to claim the US Open trophy four times in 19 appearances.
From being disqualified for hitting a line judge with a ball to facing issues related to his vaccine status, Djokovic has endured his fair share of controversies at the tournament. However, it was his defeat to Popyrin that left him reeling, marking his earliest exit at the US Open since 2006.
Speaking about his performance, Djokovic didn’t mince words, acknowledging that he had played some of the worst tennis of his career at the tournament. “The way I felt and the way I played from the beginning of this tournament, third round is a success,” he admitted. “I mean, I have played some of the worst tennis I have ever played, honestly, serving by far the worst ever.”
When questioned about the impact of his recent Olympic gold medal win on his performance, Djokovic seemed uncertain. “I don’t know,” he confessed. “Maybe, maybe. It’s a different surface. I mean, 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.”
Despite his disappointment, Djokovic remained determined to improve his game and learn from the experience. “I was just looking to really improve my game here on a daily basis, but it just didn’t happen,” he reflected.
The loss to Popyrin was a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of tennis, where even the best players can falter on any given day. As Djokovic contemplates his next move, fans around the world will be eagerly waiting to see if he can bounce back from this setback and continue his quest for greatness on the court.