Novak Djokovic's Shocking Ouster, Less Than 24 Hours After Alcaraz Loss, Unearths Mind-numbing 'firsts' In Slam History

The 2024 US Open has already etched its place in tennis history with a pair of shocking upsets that have left the men’s draw wide open. In a dramatic turn of events, both the second and third seeds, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, were eliminated before the round of 16. This marks the first time in over 22 years that neither the No. 2 nor the No. 3 seed has reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam. The back-to-back eliminations of two of the tournament’s top favorites have sent shockwaves through the tennis world, reshaping the narrative for the final major of the year.

Carlos Alcaraz’s Unexpected Downfall

The first shock came on Thursday night when reigning champion and world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz was ousted by the unheralded Botic van de Zandschulp. Playing in front of a packed crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Alcaraz was expected to cruise through to the second week of the tournament. However, the 2022 US Open champion was outplayed in straight sets by the world No. 74, in a result that few saw coming. Van de Zandschulp’s aggressive style disrupted Alcaraz’s usual rhythm from the baseline, leaving the Spaniard unable to find a solution.

Despite a disappointing result at the Cincinnati Masters a fortnight earlier, where he lost in the first round to Gael Monfils, Alcaraz came into the US Open with high expectations. He had already claimed two Grand Slam titles this year at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, followed by a silver medal at the Paris Olympics. Alcaraz seemed poised for another deep run in New York, but his shock defeat has raised questions about his ability to adapt in challenging situations.

Novak Djokovic’s Early Exit

The very next evening, Novak Djokovic, the reigning US Open champion and No. 3 seed, suffered a stunning loss to No. 28 seed Alexei Popyrin. Djokovic, who had entered the tournament on the back of a gold medal win at the Paris Olympics, was considered one of the favorites to clinch his 25th Grand Slam title. However, his pursuit of history came to a screeching halt as Popyrin played the match of his life to defeat the Serbian star in four sets.

Djokovic struggled with his serve throughout the match, and Popyrin capitalized on the opportunity, firing 50 winners and displaying remarkable composure under pressure. For Djokovic, it was a rare off day at the office, which he described as “awful” and “some of the worst tennis” he had ever played. The defeat marked his earliest exit at a Grand Slam since the 2017 Australian Open, and his earliest US Open exit since 2006.

The End of an Era: No Big Three in the Round of 16

Djokovic’s loss also signifies a historic moment in tennis. For the first time since the 2004 French Open, none of the Big Three—Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, or Roger Federer—will feature in the round of 16 at a Grand Slam. This marks the end of an era where the trio has dominated the sport for nearly two decades, consistently reaching the latter stages of major tournaments and collecting Grand Slam titles at an unprecedented rate.

Additionally, 2024 is the first calendar year since 2002 without any of the Big Three winning at least one Grand Slam title. With Federer retired and Nadal sidelined due to injuries, Djokovic’s early exit has created a void at the top of men’s tennis. The absence of the sport’s most iconic figures from the later rounds of the tournament has created an unpredictable environment, opening the door for a new generation of players to make their mark on the sport.

A Breakthrough for the Underdogs: Popyrin and Van de Zandschulp Shine

Alexei Popyrin’s victory over Djokovic has been the highlight of his career thus far. The Australian has enjoyed a standout season, having won his first Masters 1000 title in Montreal earlier this summer. His impressive run in the US Open continues his momentum, as he showcases his potential to compete against the world’s best. Popyrin had previously pushed Djokovic to four sets in both the Australian Open and Wimbledon, but his breakthrough finally came in New York, where he was able to defeat the Serbian in a major tournament.

For Botic van de Zandschulp, his victory over Alcaraz represents the pinnacle of his tennis journey. The Dutchman’s aggressive playstyle caught Alcaraz off guard, and his ability to dictate play from the baseline allowed him to control the match. Van de Zandschulp’s performance has elevated his profile, and he now finds himself as one of the dark horses in a draw that has become wide open with the exits of the top seeds.

Djokovic’s Slam Struggles: A Season to Forget

Djokovic’s defeat at the US Open capped a challenging season for the Serbian star. Despite his historic gold medal win at the Paris Olympics earlier in the month, his Grand Slam season has not lived up to the lofty standards he has set over the years. Djokovic’s exit in New York means that he will finish the year with just one Grand Slam title for the first time since 2017. The Serbian’s Slam season has been defined by uncharacteristic early exits, including his shocking loss to Denis Istomin in the second round of the Australian Open earlier this year.

While Djokovic remains one of the greatest players of all time, his struggles in 2024 have raised questions about whether he can continue to dominate the sport as he has in the past. With the emergence of new challengers like Popyrin and van de Zandschulp, the competition at the top of men’s tennis is becoming fiercer, and Djokovic will need to adapt to maintain his place among the elite.

The Road Ahead: An Open Draw and New Possibilities

With the exits of Alcaraz and Djokovic, the US Open men’s draw has become one of the most unpredictable in recent memory. The absence of the top seeds and the Big Three has created opportunities for other players to make a deep run and potentially claim their first Grand Slam title. The likes of Daniil Medvedev, Jannik Sinner, and Stefanos Tsitsipas now find themselves as the frontrunners in a tournament that has been anything but straightforward.

For tennis fans, the early exits of Alcaraz and Djokovic may be disappointing, but they also represent a changing of the guard in the sport. The 2024 US Open has become a tournament of surprises, and with the quarterfinals fast approaching, the stage is set for more drama and excitement as the next generation of players look to take center stage in New York.

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