Novak Djokovic and Grand Slam Shocks Shake U.S. Open

Novak Djokovic's quest for a record 25th Grand Slam title ended in disappointment at the U.S. Open. Defending champion Djokovic was eliminated in the third round by Alexei Popyrin. Other notable results included triumphs by Frances Tiafoe and Coco Gauff. A year without a major win for Djokovic, Federer, or Nadal marks a new era.

Novak Djokovic's bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title ended with a whimper at the U.S. Open as the defending champion was stunned in the third round by Alexei Popyrin on Friday, while Aryna Sabalenka survived a late-night scare.

Djokovic searched in vain for the form that helped him win the Paris Olympics gold this month. The 37-year-old Serbian crashed 6-4 6-4 2-6 6-4 against Australian Popyrin, marking a year without a major for the first time since 2017.

The result will also mark the first time since 2002 that a year will finish without a member of the 'Big Three'—Djokovic, Rafa Nadal, and Roger Federer—winning a major.