Djokovic Stumbles Out of US Open: 'Some of the Worst Tennis I've Ever Played'.

Posted 2 months ago

Defending champion Novak Djokovic was unexpectedly knocked out of the US Open in the third round by Alexei Popyrin, just after Carlos Alcaraz also made an early exit.

Australia's 28th seed, Alexei Popyrin, celebrated a stunning 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 victory over Novak Djokovic, marking the Serb's earliest US Open exit in 18 years.

This defeat means Djokovic will finish the year without a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2017, keeping his quest for a record 25th major on hold.

Djokovic struggled throughout the match, serving a career-high 14 double faults in a Grand Slam and making 49 unforced errors. "I've played some of the worst tennis I have ever played," said the 37-year-old. "Considering how I felt and played, reaching the third round feels like an achievement."

Djokovic's loss came shortly after French Open and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz was also eliminated in the second round by unseeded Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp.