Novak Djokovic congratulated his opponent, acknowledging that he played better and deserved to win. Reflecting on his own performance, Djokovic admitted to playing some of his worst tennis during the tournament, particularly struggling with his serve.
Djokovic clarified that he was not dealing with any physical injuries but felt emotionally drained. He attributed his lackluster performance to the extensive energy he expended over the summer, including winning the gold medal at the Olympics.
Throughout the match, Djokovic’s second serve proved to be vulnerable, allowing his opponent, Alexei Popyrin, to secure a significant victory and advance to the next round.
Despite Djokovic’s subpar performance, Popyrin showcased strong gameplay, particularly with his aggressive approach and ability to save break points.
Looking ahead, Popyrin is set to face Frances Tiafoe in the next round, with Djokovic acknowledging the Australian’s potential to go far in the tournament based on his serving and overall gameplay.
Djokovic’s early exit from the US Open marks his earliest Grand Slam exit since 2017 and will result in him dropping out of the world’s top three rankings.
