 "Novak Djokovic looks at a replay between points against Alexei Popyrin in a men's singles match at the US Open. USA TODAY Sports/Reuters")
Novak Djokovic admitted he played “his worst tennis ever” as he slumped to his earliest US Open exit in 18 years on Friday.
The 37-year-old Djokovic, a four-time champion in New York, lost 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in the third round to 28th-ranked Alexei Popyrin of Australia.
The defeat, which saw him hit an uncharacteristic 14 double faults and commit 49 unforced errors, means that for the first time since 2017 he will end the season without a Grand Slam title .
“The way I played from the beginning of the tournament reaching the third round is a success,” said a despondent Djokovic, who remains marooned on 24 Slam titles with Margaret Court.
“I have played some of my worst tennis ever.”
Djokovic admitted that the effort and aftermath of winning Olympic gold in Paris just four weeks ago impacted his lacklustre New York campaign.
“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.”
Friday’s stunning result means that for the first time since 2002, none of the Slams will have been won by any members of the ‘Big Three’ of Djokovic, the absent Rafael Nadal or the retired Roger Federer.
The Serb’s exit was another bodyblow to the US Open after Alcaraz was shocked in the second round on Thursday.
“I played some good tennis,” said Popyrin, who was watched in his player’s box by Lleyton Hewitt, the man who stunned Djokovic in the third round in New York in 2006.
“To be in the fourth round of a Grand Slam by beating the greatest of all time is unbelievable.”
The only consolation for Djokovic in a frustrating year was winning Olympic gold in Paris earlier in August.