There will be a new U.S. Open winner after defending champion Novak Djokovic was stunned by Alexei Popyrin 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in the third round on Friday night. Djokovic, who was attempting to become the first player in history to win 25 Grand Slam singles titles, was outplayed by Popyrin, who served exceptionally well and played aggressively throughout the match.

Djokovic's serve was particularly problematic, as he committed a career-high 14 double-faults, including four in the second set, which gave Popyrin a 5-2 lead. Djokovic, who is known for his strong serve, acknowledged his struggles after the match, stating that he had played "some of the worst tennis I have ever played, honestly, serving by far the worst ever."

The loss marks the first time since 2017 that Djokovic has been eliminated from a Grand Slam tournament this early. The last time he was defeated this early in a major tournament was in the second round of the 2017 Australian Open, where he was beaten by Denis Istomin.

Djokovic's defeat also marks the first time since 2002 that none of the Big Three – Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer – have won a Grand Slam tournament in the same calendar year. Nadal has been out with a hip injury and Federer retired from tennis last year.

The loss was a significant upset, as Djokovic was considered one of the favorites to win the tournament. However, Popyrin played exceptionally well and Djokovic, who admitted he was struggling physically and mentally, was unable to find his best game.

Djokovic's Struggles: A Result of Fatigue?

Djokovic's loss came on the heels of his recent Olympic gold medal victory in Paris, where he defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the final. Djokovic stated that he felt "out of gas" in New York, and that the mental and physical exertion of the Olympics might have contributed to his struggles.

He was at a loss for an explanation. Maybe it was the emotional and physical effort of the Olympics, where he played one the great matches of his life in the final and finished kneeling on the clay, shaking with tears. During his days in New York, he felt “out of gas,” unable to find himself on a court where he had won the title four times. He tried every trick he knew, playing faster, then slower, coming into the net more, and then less, slicing, then hitting harder, then hitting softer. Nothing worked.

He was at a loss for an explanation. Maybe it was the emotional and physical effort of the Olympics, where he played one the great matches of his life in the final and finished kneeling on the clay, shaking with tears. During his days in New York, he felt “out of gas,” unable to find himself on a court where he had won the title four times. He tried every trick he knew, playing faster, then slower, coming into the net more, and then less, slicing, then hitting harder, then hitting softer. Nothing worked.

Djokovic's performance at the U.S. Open was a stark contrast to his dominant season in 2023. He reached the final in all four Grand Slam tournaments, winning the Australian Open, French Open and U.S. Open. Djokovic was also the runner-up at Wimbledon, where he lost to Alcaraz.

Popyrin's Rise to the Occasion

For Popyrin, the victory over Djokovic is a major breakthrough in his career. He had previously lost all three of his previous matches against the Serbian star. Popyrin has been playing exceptionally well recently, having won the National Bank Open in Montreal, his biggest career title to date.

Popyrin's strong serving and aggressive style of play proved to be too much for Djokovic to handle. He was able to consistently hit winners with his forehand and keep Djokovic off balance with his serve. Popyrin's aggressive style of play and strong serving proved too much for Djokovic to handle.

The match was a rollercoaster ride, with Djokovic attempting to mount a comeback in the third set after falling behind 2-0. However, Popyrin was able to regain control of the match in the fourth set, securing the victory on his second match point.

Popyrin's win over Djokovic opens up the U.S. Open field considerably. The top two seeds, Alcaraz and Djokovic, are out of the tournament, giving other players a chance to make a run for the title.

What's Next for Popyrin?

Next up for Popyrin is a fourth-round match against No. 20 Frances Tiafoe. Tiafoe, another American player, advanced to the fourth round after defeating No. 13 Ben Shelton in a five-set thriller.

The match between Popyrin and Tiafoe will be a fascinating one, as both players are in good form. Popyrin will be looking to reach his first Grand Slam quarterfinal, while Tiafoe will be looking to continue his run to the title.

Djokovic, meanwhile, will be looking to regroup and get back to his best form for the remainder of the season. He has a lot of tennis left in him, and he will be looking to add to his already impressive Grand Slam tally.

Djokovic's performance at the U.S. Open was a reminder that even the greatest players in the world are not immune to upsets. He will be looking to bounce back from this loss and regain his form, but the path to a 25th Grand Slam title will be even more challenging now.

The Future of Men's Tennis

Djokovic's loss at the US Open is a sign of the changing landscape of men's tennis. The era of the Big Three – Djokovic, Nadal and Federer – is coming to an end, and a new generation of players is emerging.

The next generation of players, including Alcaraz, Sinner, and Tiafoe, is eager to make their mark on the sport. They are all talented and motivated, and they are ready to challenge the established order.

The future of men's tennis is bright, and it will be exciting to see how these young players develop in the years to come.

The end of the Djokovic era may be approaching, but the excitement of men's tennis is just beginning.