Novak Djokovic’s early US Open exit marks a disappointing year for the tennis legend, raising questions about his future in the sport. After losing to Alexei Popyrin in the third round, Djokovic faces the possibility of finishing the season without a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2017.
Defending champion Novak Djokovic was eliminated from the US Open in the third round by 28th-seeded Alexei Popyrin of Australia, marking the end of his bid for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam singles title. Djokovic’s loss also marks the first men’s tennis season since 2002 where none of the Big Three (Federer, Djokovic, and Nadal) have won a Slam championship.
Alexei Popyrin stunned the tennis world by defeating defending champion Novak Djokovic in the third round of the US Open. Popyrin’s victory, the biggest of his career, sent the Serbian superstar packing and ended his quest for a 25th Grand Slam title.
Novak Djokovic, the world No. 2 and defending champion, suffered a stunning third-round defeat at the US Open, falling to Australian Alexei Popyrin in four sets. This marks the end of Djokovic’s bid to add to his 24 Grand Slam titles this year.
Unseeded Chinese player Wang Yafan stunned two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka in the third round of the US Open, ending the Belarusian’s 17th attempt at winning the tournament. Wang’s victory, fueled by a strong third set, marks her deepest ever run at a Grand Slam.
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz suffered a stunning second-round defeat at the US Open, falling to unseeded Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp in straight sets. Alcaraz admitted to a lack of energy and struggled with his game, attributing the loss to a combination of factors, including fatigue and a need for more preparation time before major tournaments.
Naomi Osaka, returning to the tour after a maternity break, has faced a series of early Grand Slam exits this year. While she acknowledges the disappointment, she sees this as a ‘learning year’ as she adapts to her new role on the court and navigates the challenges of returning to competitive tennis.
Australia’s Alex de Minaur overcame a shaky start to defeat Otto Virtanen of Finland in a hard-fought three-set match at the US Open, securing his place in the third round. De Minaur, who was returning from a hip injury, had to fight back after falling behind early but ultimately showcased his resilience and determination.
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz suffered a shocking second-round defeat at the US Open, falling to unseeded Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp in straight sets. The Spaniard’s 15-match winning streak at Grand Slams came to an end as Van de Zandschulp displayed impressive defense and composure to secure a historic victory.
Daniil Medvedev, despite a subpar performance, defeated Fabian Marozsan in a three-set match to advance to the third round of the US Open. The former champion struggled with his serve and faced a boisterous crowd that favored his opponent, but ultimately secured the victory with a powerful backhand on match point.
