Novak Djokovic’s reign as a dominant force in tennis is facing growing scrutiny following a disheartening third-round exit at the US Open. The reigning champion, who was aiming for a record 25th Grand Slam title, suffered his earliest elimination in New York in 18 years, succumbing to a 4-6, 4-6, 6-2, 4-6 defeat at the hands of 28th-ranked Alexei Popyrin of Australia.
The 37-year-old Djokovic, visibly shaken by the loss, confessed to playing “his worst tennis ever.” His performance was marred by an unusual 14 double faults and 49 unforced errors, highlighting a struggle for consistency that has cast doubt on his ability to remain at the top of the game.
Djokovic acknowledged that the toll of winning Olympic gold in Paris just four weeks prior had a significant impact on his US Open 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,” he stated. “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.”
The Serb’s early exit marks a significant setback for his quest for Grand Slam dominance. Despite acknowledging the influence of Olympic fatigue, Djokovic’s performance raised concerns about his ability to maintain his high level of play amidst the demanding schedule of the professional tennis circuit.
Looking ahead, Djokovic remains determined to recalibrate and find his path forward. “Life moves on,” he added. “I’ll try and recalibrate and look for what’s next. Tomorrow is a new day.”
Djokovic’s future prospects in tennis are now shrouded in uncertainty. His fans and the tennis world await his response as he grapples with the challenges of staying at the top of his game.
