Djokovic Stumbles: Australian Popyrin Shocks Tennis World

Novak Djokovic, known for his legendary Grand Slam performances, has been unexpectedly defeated in the third round of the U.S. Open. Alexei Popyrin of Australia emerged victorious, leaving Djokovic in a state of disappointment and raising questions about the future of the "Big Three" era.

The tennis world witnessed a stunning upset on Friday as Novak Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, was eliminated from the U.S. Open in the third round. Australian Alexei Popyrin, seeded 28th, defeated Djokovic in four sets, marking a significant shift in the landscape of the sport.

Djokovic Stumbles: Australian Popyrin Shocks Tennis World

Djokovic, who had recently claimed a gold medal at the Paris Olympics, made no excuses for his disappointing performance. Acknowledging that he had played "some of the worst tennis I've ever played," Djokovic highlighted his poor serve as a major factor in his defeat.

"If you play on a quick surface like this without the serve, without the ability to win free points there … then you can’t win," he explained.

Djokovic Stumbles: Australian Popyrin Shocks Tennis World

When questioned about whether his participation in the Paris Olympics had affected his performance in New York, Djokovic declined to speculate. However, he admitted to feeling "out of gas," both physically and mentally.

"I did arrive in New York just not feeling fresh, mentally and physically," he stated. "But because it's the U.S. Open, I gave it a shot and tried my best. I didn’t have any physical issues, I just felt out of gas."

Djokovic Stumbles: Australian Popyrin Shocks Tennis World

Djokovic's defeat marks a historic moment in tennis, as it is the first time since 2002 that none of the "Big Three" – Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, or Roger Federer – have won a Grand Slam in a single calendar year.

Jannik Sinner of Italy emerged victorious in the Australian Open, while Carlos Alcaraz of Spain triumphed at the French Open after defeating Djokovic in the Wimbledon final.

With Federer having retired and Nadal nearing the end of his career, the future of Djokovic and the "Big Three" era remains uncertain. Djokovic expressed his disappointment and uncertainty about what lies ahead.

"It's hard to see the big perspective right now," he said. "You’re just angry and upset that you lost and the way you played, and that’s it."

However, he remained optimistic, adding, "But tomorrow is a new day, and I will obviously think about what to do next."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.