Novak Djokovic abruptly changed his schedule following his exit from the US Open. The 24-time Grand Slam champion was eliminated in the third round after losing to Alexei Popyrin (28th seed) in four sets, marking the first time since 2017 that he will finish the season without a Grand Slam title.
The Serbian player had won at least one major title in each of the last six seasons and in 12 of the last 13 seasons, with the only exception being the 2017 season when an elbow injury kept him out of competition.
That fateful year for Djokovic included an unexpected second-round loss at the Australian Open to the unknown Denis Istomin, a decisive quarterfinal exit at Roland Garros to Dominic Thiem (with a 6-0 in the third set), and he withdrew during the Wimbledon quarterfinals against Thomas Berdych due to physical issues that also prevented him from appearing at the US Open.
Djokovic’s Grand Slam Streak Ends
Expectations were high this year, especially after winning three Grand Slam titles in 2023 and only reaching the final at Wimbledon. However, this year he ‘only’ played in one final (also at Wimbledon), fell in the Australian Open semifinals, and withdrew from the French Open quarterfinals due to an injury. The third-round loss at the US Open ends hopes for his 25th major this year, prompting Djokovic to adjust his schedule for the remainder of the season.
Djokovic achieved his primary goal for the season by recovering from an injury and winning gold at the Olympic Games, the only title missing from his extensive trophy collection. However, he struggled in the Grand Slams and is now preparing for a drop in the rankings. The Serbian was the defending champion in Flushing Meadows and will lose 1,900 points, dropping him to at least world No. 4, with Alexander Zverev moving up to No. 2.
The loss to Popyrin hit hard, and he was self-critical in the press conference: "It's clear that right off the court, the bitterness you have in your mouth is bitter. Despite having many more victories than defeats in this tournament and any other, you don't like to lose," he said.
"You have to draw the line, of course. If you look at it from a more global perspective, of course, I should be happy. However, right now it's hard to see that big picture. You're angry and upset about having lost and about how you played, that's it. Tomorrow is a new day though, and I will think about what I can do next."
Djokovic did not have the upcoming Davis Cup on his calendar, after the Serbian team suffered an unexpected defeat in the qualifiers against Slovakia. The Serbs did not count on Djokovic, but were heavy favorites with Miomir Kecmanovic and Dusan Lajovic in the singles. However, they lost 3-0, missing the chance to play in the Finals and now must seek qualification against Greece following a call from Viktor Troicki.
The elimination phase will take place between September 14 and 15, and the winner will compete in next year's Davis Cup duels, while the loser will go to World Group I. Djokovic’s next scheduled challenges on the Tour are the Shanghai Masters and Paris Masters.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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