In a surprising turn of events at the US Open, Novak Djokovic faced an unexpected defeat at the hands of Alexei Popyrin. The match, which ended with scores of 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, marked one of Djokovic’s earliest exits from a major tournament in recent years. This loss has not only affected his standing in the tournament but has also brought to light the mental challenges he has been grappling with.
Djokovic, known for his resilience and mental fortitude on the court, admitted that he has been struggling with his mental energy. The Serbian tennis star, who has often been seen as a symbol of mental toughness, revealed that he felt drained and out of sorts throughout the match. This sense of mental fatigue was evident in his performance, as he struggled to find his rhythm and make the impactful plays he is known for.
The defeat to Popyrin was not just a physical loss but a mental one as well. Djokovic’s usual sharpness and strategic play were missing, replaced by uncharacteristic errors and a lack of focus. This has raised questions about the toll that continuous high-level competition and the pressure to maintain his top ranking have taken on him.
Djokovic commented: “I spent a lot of energy winning the gold. I did arrive to New York not feeling fresh mentally and physically. Because it’s US Open I gave it a shot. I didn’t have physical issues. I just felt out of gas. You could see that with the way I played from the very beginning. From the first match I didn’t find myself at all on this court. That’s all I can say. Life moves on. I’ll try to recalibrate and look for what’s next.”
Djokovic’s candid admission about his mental state is a reminder that even the greatest athletes are not immune to the pressures and stresses of their sport. It highlights the importance of mental health and the need for athletes to take care of their psychological well-being just as much as their physical health.
As Djokovic looks ahead, it will be crucial for him to address these mental challenges. Whether through rest, mental conditioning, or other means, finding a way to recharge and regain his mental strength will be key to his future success. The tennis world will be watching closely to see how he bounces back from this setback and whether he can reclaim his position at the top of the sport.
Novak Djokovic in 2024
LWWWWWWLWW Currently the world no.2, Novak played his last match on the 30th of August when he was overcome by world no.28 Alexei Popyrin 6-4 6-4 2-6 6-4 in the 3rd round of the U.S. Open (draw).
Until now, during this year the Serbian owns a compiled 31-8 match record. Novak conquered 1 title in Paris. The Serbian reached the final in Wimbledon.
He is also scheduled to play in Paris (Rolex Paris Masters) after Shanghai. The main draw will start on the 30th of September.
Popyrin at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2024
Currently the world no.28, the Australian achieved a composed 25-16 win-loss record in 2024. Alexei is now competing at the U.S. Open where he managed to beat the world no.340 Soon-Woo Kwon 7-5 6-2 6-3, the world no.43 Pedro Martinez Portero 6-2 6-4 6-0 and the world no.2 Novak Djokovic 6-4 6-4 2-6 6-4.
Alexei Popyrin will square off with the world no.20 Frances Tiafoe in the 4th round. In the past, they have never played each other till now in top tournaments.
The Australian conquered 1 title in 2024 in Montreal.
He is also scheduled to play in Tokyo (Japan Open Tennis Championships). The main draw will start on the 25th of September.
Novak Djokovic and Alexei Popyrin squared off 4 times. Their record is 3-1 for Djokovic.
