Novak Djokovic Exits 2024 US Open in Third Round

Novak Djokovic's hopes for a 25th Grand Slam title were dashed with a surprising third-round defeat to Alexei Popyrin at the 2024 US Open, marking his earliest exit from the tournament since 2006. This loss not only ended his title defense but also signaled a potential shift in the landscape of tennis, as it marks the first year without any titles from the 'Big Three'—Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal—since 2001. Djokovic admitted to playing 'some of the worst tennis' of his career, citing a lack of freshness after his Olympic triumph and a staggering number of double faults throughout the tournament. With this defeat, Djokovic will finish the year without a Grand Slam win for the first time in seven years, raising questions about his future in the sport. Meanwhile, the younger generation, led by players like Carlos Alcaraz, continues to emerge as formidable competitors in the Grand Slam circuit. As Nadal's career hangs in the balance due to injuries and Djokovic's recent struggles, the era dominated by these legends appears to be coming to a close.