Written by Richard Pagliaro | @Itenisi_Manje | Friday, August 31, 2024
Photo credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty
NEW YORK—The service box looked smallge like a shoe box.
Novak Djokovic he struggled to find the right balance.
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The champion of Montreal Alexei Popyrin dethroned defending champion Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in a stunning US Open match to advance to his fourth Grand Slam first round.
It is the first time a defending US Open men’s champion has exited since 2000 and the first time Djokovic has failed to make it past the third round of the US Open since 2006.
Lleyton Hewitt knocked out a young Djokovic in that 2006 US Open. Australian Davis Cup captain Hewitt was in Popyrin’s support box tonight alongside Aussie coach Xavier Malisse, who has split two career meetings with the Serbian star.
Afterwards, Djokovic said that repeated complications caused his death:
1. Popyrin was simply fantastic from start to finish.
2. Djokovic ruined his cause with the “worst” performance of his career.
Djokovic gave up 14 double faults on 16 aces and at times looked like he didn’t care about being used.
“Congratulations to him and his team. He definitely played better and deserved to win today,” said Djokovic. “I mean in the end, honestly, the way I felt and the way I played from the beginning of this tournament, the third round was a success.
“I mean, I played the worst tennis I’ve ever played, honestly, the worst tennis I’ve ever played. So, yeah, when you’re playing on a fast surface like this without, you know, the serve, without the ability to play. You get free points there, very low serve percentage. First, many double mistakes, then you can’t win.
“You can’t win, especially against in-form guys like Alexei who works hard, puts a lot of pressure on your assist game. Yes, it was a bad game for me.”
The four-time US Open champion achieved what he called “the biggest success I’ve ever had” when he defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the Olympic final to claim Serbia’s gold medal in his fifth Olympic Games last month.
Receiving a hero’s welcome from thousands of fans in Belgrade after bringing home the gold, Djokovic skipped the Masters 1000 events in Montreal and Cincinnati to rest and recover from his impressive performance in Paris.
Tonight, Djokovic felt disconnected from his shots and his game.
“I’ve tried a lot of things, and sometimes that’s a problem, you know, that you go away from the basics that work,” Djokovic said. “Then you lose the fundamentals. You lose the foundation. You lose the movement, the timing, the rhythm, the tempo, everything, whether it’s a serve or another shot.
“It was a big struggle for me to play these three matches here, because I wasn’t playing even close to my level. So, you know, it’s not good to be in that situation where you feel physically healthy. , and of course you’re motivated because it’s a Grand Slam, but you can’t find your game.
“The sport is collapsing, and I think you have to accept that competitions like this happen. Yes, you can argue that it’s because of the Olympics, but I don’t know. I don’t want to analyze that yet.”
Montreal champion Popyrin, who lost four tight setters to Djokovic at the Australian Open and Wimbledon earlier this year, played a first-round tennis and often punished the champion with his forehand.
“Third time lucky I guess,” said Popyrin. “We had some fights in the Australian Open at Wimbledon and I had opportunities in those matches, but I didn’t take them.
“This match was a little different. I was able to take my chances when I had them and play some good tennis.”
It was a game of the best and the worst of times at the same time.
Popyrin played his best tennis, Djokovic produced his worst game and said he had never felt better at Flushing Meadows following his Olympic gold medal win in Paris last month.
“Right from the start, from the first match, I didn’t find myself on this court at all,” said Djokovic. “All I can say is you know. You know life goes on. I mean, yeah, try and update and look for what’s next.”
Popyrin removed the historical resentment. Djokovic’s defeat means that it is the first time since 2002 that the Big 3 champion Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have not lost the Grand Slam title.
The upset comes a night after Botic van de Zandschulp shocked reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz in a dramatic performance on Thursday night.
It presents a huge opportunity for both Popyrin and her fourth-round opponent, former US Open semifinalist Frances Tiafoe. If you are Popyrin you should feel if you can beat the Grand Slam king, then you lose to anyone.
“It’s unbelievable because I’ve been in the third round about 15 times in my career but I couldn’t make it to the fourth round,” said Popyrin. “To be able to do this against the all-time great to get into the fourth round is unbelievable. It’s pretty cool.”
Asked to assess Popyrin’s strength, Djokovic said that although world number 1 Jannik Sinner is clearly the favorite for the US Open, anyone can take the title.
“I mean, look, he just beat me, the defending champion here, so, I mean, he deserves credit for that and respect,” Djokovic said. “If he works well, plays well, he can beat anybody. Look, Alcaraz is out, I’m out, you know, a big injury. The draw is open.
“Obviously Sinner is the main favorite, but then, you know, Tiafoe is there and Fritz is the American favorite. Zverev, you have big guys playing well, and Rublev, Dimitrov in this part of the draw. Anyone can take it. It’s going to be interesting to see who takes the title.”
