Novak Djokovic's U.S. Open exit snaps 21-year streak of greatness

Since 2003, one of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal, has won at least one major each year.

With Djokovic crashing out of the 2024 U.S. Open on Friday, that splendid 21-year streak has ended. The Serb suffered a third-round loss to Australia's Alexei Popyrin, ending his major-less 2024 that saw him lose in the semifinal at the Australian Open, quarterfinal at the French Open (injury) and finals at Wimbledon.

The 21-year streak began at the 2003 Wimbledon, when Federer, then 21, beat Mark Philippoussis for the first of eight titles at the hallowed grass courts. After that, the streak continued with the Big 3 dominating the slams yearly, winning 65 majors out of 83 (excluding the canceled 2020 Wimbledon). The streak ended with Djokovic's 2023 U.S. Open title, his 24th major title. 

Here's a breakdown of the four majors between 2003 to 2024:

• Australian Open: 18/22 (Big 3 didn't win in 2003, 2005, 2014 and 2024)
• French Open: 18/22 (Big 3 didn't win in 2003, 2004, 2015 and 2024)
• Wimbledon: 17/21 (Big 3 didn't win in 2013, 2016, 2023 and 2024)
• U.S. Open: 13/22 (Big 3 didn't win in 2003, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024)

Incidentally, the U.S. Open was the only major in which the Big 3 enjoyed a less than 80 percent win rate since 2003. As such, it was fitting that the streak ended at the venue where they hadn't dominated as much.

The year 2002 marked the last time none of the Big 3 won a major when Thomas Johansson (Australian), Albert Costa (French), Lleyton Hewitt (Wimbledon) and Pete Sampras (US) triumphed at the slams.

The streak was earlier in danger when Djokovic underwent surgery after withdrawing from his quarterfinal tie at Roland Garros. However, the Serb miraculously returned a few weeks later and advanced to the Wimbledon finals before losing to Carlos Alcaraz. He would follow that achievement by winning his first-ever gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

As such, there was a level of expectation from Djokovic entering the 2024 U.S. Open.

Alas, all good things come to an end.