Djokovic loses in third round at US Open 2023, ending Slam title streak

Novak Djokovic faced a surprising defeat in the third round of the U.S. Open 2023, losing to Alexei Popyrin with a score of 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4. This loss marked the end of Djokovic's Grand Slam season, making it the first year since 2017 that he did not secure a major title. At 37 years old, Djokovic's ambitions for accumulating more Grand Slam trophies are becoming increasingly challenging, especially as he reflects on his performance. Throughout the year, Djokovic's journey included a semifinal loss at the Australian Open, a withdrawal from the French Open due to knee surgery, and a defeat in the Wimbledon final against Carlos Alcaraz. Despite these setbacks, he achieved a significant milestone by winning his first Olympic gold medal for Serbia, defeating Alcaraz in the final in Paris. The U.S. Open saw a series of upsets, with Djokovic attributing his poor performance to the physical and mental toll of the Summer Games. He described his play as some of the worst he had ever exhibited, citing 32 double-faults across three matches, including 14 against Popyrin. The transition between different playing surfaces throughout the season may have contributed to the challenges faced by top players. With Djokovic's exit, 2024 is poised to be a historic year, as it will be the first since 2002 without a Grand Slam title for any member of the Big Three—Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer. As the landscape of men's tennis evolves, questions arise about the future of these legendary players and their legacies.