Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic, known for his dominance on the court, has cited fatigue as the reason behind his early exit from the US Open. Following his recent Olympic triumph in Tokyo, where he secured the gold medal, Djokovic revealed he felt depleted for his title defense in New York. This unexpected fatigue led to a surprising third-round loss against Australian Alexei Popyrin, marking his earliest departure from the year’s final major tournament since 2006.
Despite achieving the pinnacle of his career with the Olympic gold, Djokovic’s performance in New York was lackluster. He struggled in the intense conditions and confessed to feeling lost on the court. “I spent a lot of energy winning the gold and I did arrive to New York just not feeling fresh,” he admitted. “I didn’t have any physical issues. I just felt out of gas, you know, and you could see that with the way I played.”
Djokovic’s early exit from the US Open signals a notable shift in the men’s tennis landscape. For the first time since 2002, none of the ‘Big Three’ – Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, or the retired Roger Federer – have managed to claim a Grand Slam title in a single season. This marks a new era in men’s tennis, with fresh faces potentially rising to prominence.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, ESPN, co-owned by The Walt Disney Company, has extended its partnership with the United States Tennis Association (USTA). The deal ensures that ESPN will continue to broadcast the US Open tennis tournament through 2037. This 12-year extension, starting in 2026, is ESPN’s longest tennis contract to date, cementing their commitment to the sport.
