Golden Letdown: Djokovic’s US Open Dreams Shattered by Post-Olympic Fatigue

This content was published on August 31, 2024 – 10:50

Djokovic was eliminated early in the third round of the US Open for the first time in 18 years, missing out on defending his title. He admitted after the match that he felt exhausted after winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics and had the “worst performance of his career”.

Four-time US Open champion Novak Djokovic lost 4-6, 4-6, 6-2, 4-6 to world No. 28 Alexei Popyrin of Australia today, missing out on a chance to win his 25th Grand Slam title and break the record of 24 he shares with Australian legend Margaret Court.

The 37-year-old Djokovic made an uncharacteristic 14 double faults and 49 unforced errors on his way to a season without a major title for the first time since 2017.

Djokovic was frustrated after the game and said: “Honestly speaking, from the feeling and the state of the match at the beginning of this US Open, it was good enough to play in the third round. … I played some of the worst performances in my career, and my serve has never been so bad.”

Djokovic admitted that his dismal performance at this US Open was related to the fact that he fought hard to win the gold medal at the Paris Olympics only 4 weeks ago.

“It obviously had an impact,” he said. “I worked so hard to win the gold medal and I definitely felt mentally and physically drained when I got to New York. But because it was the US Open, I just gave it a try and did everything I could. I didn’t have any physical problems, I just felt drained.”

But Djokovic also said: “Life must go on. I will try to readjust my state and face the next challenge. Tomorrow is a new day.”

In the players’ box, compatriot and senior Lleyton Hewitt was seen cheering for Babylon. Hewitt defeated Djokovic in the third round of the 2006 US Open. “It’s incredible to be able to beat the best player in history and get to the fourth round in a Grand Slam,” said Babylon, 25. His next match will be against home player Frances Tiafoe.