Novak Djokovic crashes out of 2024 U.S. Open after upset loss

Novak Djokovic's bid for major No. 25 will have to wait until 2025.

The World No. 2 crashed out of the 2024 U.S. Open Friday following a shocking 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 loss to Australia's Alexei Popyrin in the third round. Djokovic did not resemble his usual clinical self, serving a career-high 14 double faults (in majors) and committing as many as 49 unforced errors. 

Popyrin, the 28th seed, entered the event at Flushing Meadows brimming with confidence after clinching his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title in Montreal in early August. Furthermore, the Aussie reached his career-high ranking of No. 23 with a 20-16 singles record heading into the last major of the year. 

While Popyrin was the underdog on paper, he did not behave as such after upsetting Djokovic on Friday. 

"It's unbelievable because I've been in the third round about 15 times in my career but haven't been able to get to the fourth round," Popyrin said, via BBC. "To be able to do it against the greatest of all time to get into the fourth round is unbelievable, it's a great feeling that the hard work has paid off."

Popyrin will next face American Frances Tiafoe in the fourth round on Sunday.

Earliest exit in 18 years 

As for Djokovic, the loss marked his earliest U.S. Open exit since his loss to Australia's Lleyton Hewitt in the third round in 2006. Since then, the Serb had reached at least the semifinal or final every year, except 2017 when he withdrew with a season-ending elbow injury. 

The loss also meant Djokovic would end a calendar year without a major for the first time since 2017. The 24-time major winner's quest to break the tie with Margaret Court, who won 24 majors between 1960 and 1971, did not come to fruition in 2024, with losses at the Australian Open (semifinal loss), French Open (injury withdrawal in QF), Wimbledon (Finals loss) and now U.S. Open (third-round loss). 

"Life moves on. I'll try to recalibrate and look forward to what's next," Djokovic said after the loss.

With Carlos Alcaraz and Djokovic out of the picture, most analysts feel World No. 1 Jannik Sinner is in the driver's seat to clinch his second major of the year following his Australian Open victory. The Italian will play Australia's Christopher O'Connell in the third round on Saturday. 

Of course, the dual exits also open the door for Americans such as Taylor Fritz and Tiafoe. No American man has won the U.S. Open title since Andy Roddick in 2003.