End of an Era? Djokovic’s loss to Popyrin marks Big-3’s first slamless year
ATPSaturday, 31 August 2024 at 20:00
Novak Djokovic was surprisingly eliminated by Alexei Popyrin, marking the first year since 2002 that no member of the Big-3 will win a Grand Slam. The dominance of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Djokovic seems to be a thing of the past.
The Serbian declared after his painful third-round defeat at the US Open to Popyrin by 4-6, 4-6, 6-2, 4-6: "It's hard to see the big perspective right now. You're just angry and upset that you lost and the way you played, and that's it," Djokovic stated. "But tomorrow is a new day, and I will obviously think about what to do next,” he added.
Djokovic’s early exit: First year without Big-3 Grand Slam titles since 2002
The 24-time Grand Slam champion couldn’t do anything against the high level of the world No. 28, marking the first time he hasn’t reached the second week of a Grand Slam since the 2017 Australian Open, ending a streak in 24 consecutive main draws. Djokovic remains without titles on the Tour this season, having won at least one Grand Slam every year since 2011, except in 2017 when injuries sidelined him for part of the season.
Nole’s exit marks the first year since 2002 that no member of the Big-3 (Djokovic, Nadal, Federer) has won a Slam. Since Federer’s first Slam title at Wimbledon in 2003, the Big-3 has secured a total of 66 Grand Slam titles.
After the match, the world No. 2 acknowledged that he was far from his best and lamented the early exit at the US Open after displaying "some of the worst tennis I have ever played," he commented.
Djokovic’s early fall is another shock at Flushing Meadows, following Carlos Alcaraz’s second-round exit on Thursday. Only two Grand Slam champions remain in the draw: world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and former champion Daniil Medvedev, who defeated Nole in the 2021 final.
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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