With Carlos Alcaraz winning the Roland Garros title in 2024 and successfully defending his Wimbledon crown, the focus was on the US Open, with Djokovic set for title retention.
Trusted reseller platforms such as Seatsnet were flooding with requests for US Open tickets, the highest demand after the Roland Garros earlier this year, given the intensity of the competition and the fanfare around Novak Djokovic.
But, it was all too good to be true, as Novak saw a shock defeat in the early rounds.
Early Exit for Djokovic
For the first year since 2002, a tennis season will have gone by without Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, or Novak Djokovic winning at least one Grand Slam!
Djokovic’s US Open title defence ended late on Friday as the Serb fell to a red-hot Alexei Popyrin 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in the third round.
It was Djokovic’s earliest US Open defeat since 2006, and it handed Popyrin a maiden trip to a Grand Slam round of 16.
Djokovic committed 49 unforced errors, including 14 double faults, dropped serve five times, and converted just 4/16 breakpoint opportunities against his Australian opponent.
World No.2 admits that his recent gold medal run at the Paris Games had taken a lot out of him. The entire Olympic singles podium of Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Lorenzo Musetti lost at the US Open within 24 hours between Thursday and Friday.
“It had an effect. I spent a lot of energy winning the gold, and I did arrive in New York just not feeling fresh mentally and physically,” confessed Djokovic, who was bidding to become the first-ever tennis player to win 25 Grand Slam titles.
“But because it’s the US Open, I gave it a shot, and I tried my best. I didn’t have any physical issues. I felt out of gas; you could see that with how I played.
“Just from the beginning, from the first match, I didn’t find myself on this court. It’s all I can say. Life moves on. Just try to recalibrate and look for what’s next.”
This was a let down for most fans who had seat options from reseller platforms such as Seatsnet. But they also knew that it was coming as the long season has taken a serious toll on the players.
Djokovic will yearn for a long overdue rest, as it will help him recharge his batteries to battle it out next year.
Leap of Faith for Popyrin
Popyrin, who enjoyed a maiden Masters 1000 title triumph in Montreal earlier this month, was facing Djokovic for the third time at the Slams this season, having lost to the Serb at both the Australian Open and Wimbledon in four sets.
The 28th-seeded Aussie felt he didn’t take his opportunities in his previous showdowns with Djokovic and was determined not to make the same mistakes again on Friday.
“I think the way I composed myself and the way I tactically played the match, that was up there with one of the best matches I have played,” said the 25-year-old Popyrin.
Roland Garros Champion Meets with Serena Williams
There’s nothing like a surprise chat with a 23-time Grand Slam champion before your match to get your juices flowing.
Before her warm-up on Saturday, top-seeded Iga Swiatek was paid a visit by Serena Williams in the gym.
“It was really nice to see her. She has a lot of positive energy. It’s nice that she came on-site and she was chatting with the players because, for me, I still felt, even though we met before and for like a couple of years we have been on the same sides and on tour together, she’s still like star-striking me,” said Swiatek with a smile.
“It was nice that she approached me because I wouldn’t, for sure, find the courage to do that if it was the other way.
“I’m happy that she’s following tennis and, like, my game because she told me that she’s cheering for me. It’s always nice to hear that from somebody like Serena.”
Alcaraz Exits US Open Early
After winning Roland Garros for the first time, Alcaraz won to retain his coveted Wimbledon title. Later, he made it back to Wimbledon to face Djokovic in an all-important Olympic final.
This was another moment etched in history as many fans who found tickets from platforms such as Seatsnet saw history unravelling at the centre court.
But it was meant for the all-time legend, Novak Djokovic, who was desperately searching for the missing prize—the Olympic gold.
However, the youngster’s efforts at the Olympics might have taken a toll, as he saw an early exit at the US Open.
The world No 3 came into the tournament in New York aiming to win three Grand Slam titles in succession, having triumphed at the French Open and Wimbledon.
Yet he could not get past the second round stage as world number 74 Van De Zandschulp produced the result of his life to win 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 in front of a stunned Arthur Ashe crowd.
The Dutchman, who has previously been ranked as high as No. 22 in the world, was helped considerably by an erratic and error-strewn performance from Alcaraz that the Spaniard occasionally has in his locker.
Jack Draper will have been an interested observer as he was due to meet Alcaraz in Saturday’s third round. Still, suddenly, the British number one’s path to the latter stages of the tournament has opened up.
Former Spanish Davis Cup star Lopez revealed that Alcaraz’s ability to compete at the US Open was hugely impacted by a frantic schedule that meant he was running on empty by the time he got to New York.
With the French Open, Wimbledon, and the Olympics crammed into his schedule over the last couple of months, Lopez suggested Alcaraz’s defeat in New York was down to fatigue.
“It was a huge disappointment,” Lopez told Sky Sports.
“Nobody expected Carlos to lose, but he has reached this point of the season mentally exhausted.
“This year, the calendar was more demanding, and since Roland Garros, he has had no rest.
Alcaraz is due to play for Spain in the Davis Cup, but it remains to be seen whether he will now opt for a break from tennis rather than playing for his country.
Roland Garros tickets for 2025 will be available soon on Seatsnet.