In a surprising turn of events at the US Open, defending champion Novak Djokovic was ousted from the tournament after a tough four-set battle against Australia’s Alexei Popyrin. Djokovic, who was eyeing his 25th Grand Slam title, was defeated by the 28th seed with scores of 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4. This loss marks a significant moment in tennis history, as it’s the first time since 2017 that Djokovic has failed to secure a Grand Slam title in a calendar year.
The match saw the 37-year-old Serbian struggling with his form, committing 14 double faults, and visibly tiring as the game progressed. Despite a spirited third-set comeback, Djokovic couldn’t maintain his momentum, allowing Popyrin to clinch a decisive victory. This win is particularly momentous for Popyrin, who at 25, has achieved his first-ever victory against Djokovic. He will now advance to face the 20th seed, American Francis Tiafoe, who overcame his compatriot Ben Shenton in a five-set thriller.
Djokovic’s early exit from the US Open adds another layer of intrigue to this year’s tournament. This is the first time since 2002 that none of the tennis greats—Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, or Roger Federer—have claimed a Grand Slam title in a single year. Djokovic, a four-time US Open champion, last missed a Grand Slam win in 2010, making this year’s performance an unexpected departure from his usual dominance.
In the women’s category, defending champion Coco Gauff faced a scare but managed to rally after losing the first set to defeat Elina Svitolina 3-6, 6-3, 6-3. Gauff’s resilience keeps her on track to defend her title, while Emma Navarro also moved forward after a hard-fought victory against Marta Kostyuk.
