August 31, (THEWILL) – Novak Djokovic, the defending champion and 24-time Grand Slam winner, was eliminated from the 2024 US Open in a stunning third-round upset. Australian player, Alexei Popyrin, defeated Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, marking one of the biggest upsets in recent tennis history.
The Serbian tennis star struggled throughout the tournament, particularly with his serve. Djokovic made only 52 percent of his first serves across the event, well below his career average. He attributed his poor performance to fatigue following his emotional Olympic gold medal win last month and his recent knee surgery.
This defeat, coupled with Carlos Alcaraz’s earlier exit, has dramatically altered the men’s draw. Top seed Jannik Sinner remains in contention, while players like Casper Ruud, Alexander Zverev, and several American hopefuls now see a clearer path to the title.
Djokovic, despite his disappointment, remained gracious in defeat. He acknowledged his subpar play and recognised the opportunity now available to other players in the tournament. The 37-year-old’s early exit raises questions about his future at the highest level of the sport.
The 2024 US Open now enters its second week with an unexpectedly open field. It remains to be seen which player can capitalise on this rare opportunity to claim a Grand Slam title in the absence of two of the sport’s biggest stars.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
