Novak Djokovic leaves everyone speechless at US Open

Djokovic, who was defending last year’s title, lost to recent Canadian Masters 1000 champion Popyrin 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 at Flushing Meadows Centre Court in New York. ).

The Serbian giant calmly suffered his heaviest defeat at a Grand Slam since 2017 and did not win his 25th Grand Slam trophy, which would have broken his tie with Margaret Court and set an absolute record in tennis.

The day before, Djokovic and Spaniard Alcaraz were defeated in the second round by Dutchman Bottik van der Zandschulp (ATP ranking 74), leaving world number one Italian Yannick Sinner as the favorite to win the title. Headline.

“We had a lot of battles this year at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. I had my chances, but I didn’t take them. I did that today by playing great tennis,” Popyrin said. “To be in the last 16, against the best in history, it’s incredible.”

Djokovic’s defeat, while not as shocking as Alcaraz’s because he came against a stronger opponent, was his first in the third round in New York since 2006, when his opponent was none other than another Australian, Lleyton Hewitt.

The Serbian has won the title four times (2011, 2015, 2018 and 2023) and is eager to become the first Serbian to defend the title since Roger Federer won five consecutive titles (2004-2008).

He has not suffered such a heavy defeat at a Grand Slam since the second round of the 2017 Australian Open, and the Balkan star failed to lift any of the four Grand Slam trophies last year.

Before the Flushing Meadows disaster, Djokovic had reached the Australian Open semifinals, French Open quarterfinals and Wimbledon final this year.

At the age of 37, the Serbian achieved his goal of winning his first Olympic gold medal by defeating Alcaraz in the final of the Paris Olympics.

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Against ATP No. 28 Popyrin, Djokovic again had problems with his serve and committed as many as 16 double faults, a record for him in a major tournament.

It took until the third set for the Serb to find some respite from the rest of the extremely efficient Popyrin’s game.

True to his word, the towering Australian was not intimidated by the former world number one and celebrated loudly, challenging him.

Popyrin has confirmed the huge leap in confidence he has made in recent months, with the 25-year-old expecting to explode in size after winning the Canadian Masters 1000 this month.

Djokovic already had traces of worry in his second-round match against compatriot Laszlo Djere, who was injured during the match, saving him from major trouble.

Against Popyrin, Djokovic missed five opportunities to break first in the sixth game before his opponent seized the first break opportunity.

The Australian then accelerated and scored 10 points in a row to win the first round.

Djokovic also couldn’t raise his level in the second set, as Popyrin managed to extend his lead despite a right ankle injury.

The Serb was in trouble, forced to come back from 0-2 down for the ninth time in his storied career, but his first break at the start of the third set gave him a chance to attempt the feat.

The reigning champion put his hands to his ears after a few brilliant scores, trying to get the public to start his mission.

Djokovic scored in the third set but Popyrin re-emerged in the fourth, breaking the Serbian star twice, who continued to fight until conceding at the net.