Tennis' Big Three Suffer Shock US Open Upsets as Djokovic and Alcaraz Exit

World No. 2 Novak Djokovic and No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz, two of the favorites to win the US Open, suffered shock exits in the third round and second round, respectively, leaving the tournament wide open.

Novak Djokovic, one of the greatest tennis players of all time, was upset in the third round of the US Open by 28th-seeded Alexei Popyrin of Australia. The 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 loss marked Djokovic's worst performance at Flushing Meadows since 2006 and shattered his hopes of becoming the first male player to win 25 Grand Slam singles titles.

Before the upset, Djokovic had emerged victorious in a grueling Olympic gold medal match against Carlos Alcaraz, who was considered the frontrunner for the US Open title. However, Alcaraz also suffered a stunning defeat, losing in the second round to Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands.

Tennis' Big Three Suffer Shock US Open Upsets as Djokovic and Alcaraz Exit

Djokovic's loss came with a barrage of double faults and a noticeable lack of energy. He admitted to feeling "out of gas" both physically and mentally, attributing his condition to the toll of winning the Olympic gold medal.

The shock exits of Djokovic and Alcaraz have left the tournament draw wide open. Popyrin, who will now face No. 20 Frances Tiafoe, has a chance to reach his first Grand Slam quarterfinal. Other contenders include Daniil Medvedev, Rafael Nadal, and Alexander Zverev, who have all advanced to the fourth round.

Tennis' Big Three Suffer Shock US Open Upsets as Djokovic and Alcaraz Exit

This year's US Open has already witnessed several upsets, marking the first time since 2002 that none of the "Big Three" (Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer) have won a Grand Slam title. This unprecedented turn of events adds an element of unpredictability and intrigue to the remaining matches.

Djokovic's absence from the latter stages of the tournament also means that he will not catch up to Nadal and Federer's Grand Slam tally. Nadal currently holds the record with 22 Grand Slams, while Federer has 20. Djokovic, with 21, would have equaled their achievements had he triumphed in New York.

Tennis' Big Three Suffer Shock US Open Upsets as Djokovic and Alcaraz Exit

The US Open continues with exciting fourth-round matches, where the remaining contenders will vie for a place in the semifinals and a chance to claim the coveted title. The tournament promises to provide captivating action and unexpected outcomes as the world's best tennis players battle for supremacy.