Novak Djokovic, considered one of the 'Big Three' in tennis, faced a disheartening defeat at the US Open to the 28th-ranked Australian player Alexei Popyrin. This result marks his earliest exit from the tournament in 18 years and casts doubts on his long-term future in the sport. With this defeat, Djokovic's quest for a record 25th Grand Slam title comes up short once again and he will end the season without a major title for the first time since 2017.
Alexei Popyrin's Stunning Upset of Novak Djokovic at US Open
In a major upset, 28th-ranked Australian Alexei Popyrin stunned six-time US Open champion Novak Djokovic in the second round of the tournament on August 31, 2022. The victory marked Djokovic's earliest exit from the US Open since 2004 and raised questions about the future of his illustrious career.
Background
Novak Djokovic, often considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time, has consistently dominated the sport over the past decade, winning 21 Grand Slam titles and holding the world's No. 1 ranking for a record 387 weeks. However, injuries and a reluctance to vaccinate against COVID-19 have hindered his progress in recent months.
Alexei Popyrin, on the other hand, is a rising star in Australian tennis. The 23-year-old has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his career but has yet to establish himself as a consistent threat to the top players.
The Match
The match between Djokovic and Popyrin was a thrilling affair, with both players showcasing their impressive skills. Popyrin surprised Djokovic with his aggressive play and powerful serve, while Djokovic displayed his trademark resilience and determination.
Despite winning the first set in a tiebreaker, Djokovic struggled to maintain his form as Popyrin continued to press. The Australian broke Djokovic's serve twice in the third set and eventually sealed the victory with a 7-6 (5), 7-5, 7-6 (3) scoreline.
Significance
Djokovic's defeat has significant implications for the remainder of his career. At 35 years old, he faces a dwindling window of opportunity to catch up to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, who have 20 and 22 Grand Slam titles, respectively.
Popyrin's victory, on the other hand, has injected a surge of excitement into Australian tennis and gives hope that the country can produce another Grand Slam champion in the near future.
Top 5 FAQs
Why did Djokovic lose to Popyrin?
How will this affect Djokovic's long-term future?
What does Popyrin's victory mean for Australian tennis?
What is Djokovic's vaccination status and how has it impacted him?
When is Djokovic expected to return to action?
The Los Angeles Lakers failed to maintain their quick start against the Golden State Warriors, struggling on offense as Luka Doncic's magic seemed to disappear. Despite getting the matchups they wanted, the Lakers couldn't convert on their shots and were unable to capitalize on opportunities as the game progressed. This was a rare off-night for Doncic, who was stymied by the Warriors' defense and a lack of calls in his favor.
Get all the updates on the Premier League news conferences for Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as reaction to Nottingham Forest's win over Man Utd and Arsenal's victory over Fulham with Saka returning but Gabriel injured. Is Ruben Amorim right about the pressure being too big for young players at Man Utd? Join the conversation on #bbcfootball or via WhatsApp and text. Tune in for live updates and commentary on tonight's six Premier League matches.
Rising Indian cricketer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, has made a shocking decision to leave Mumbai and join Goa in the upcoming domestic season, as he seeks a change for personal reasons. The left-handed opener, who has already shown great potential in international cricket, will now represent a lesser-known team in hopes of making a bigger impact. This move is unprecedented, especially considering Jaiswal's successful stint with Mumbai and a lack of big names in the Goa team. Fans eagerly await the results of this surprising shift.
After Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) faced their first eight-wicket home defeat during IPL 2025, team mentor Zaheer Khan expressed his dissatisfaction with the pitch conditions. He stated that the curator did not consider it a home game, and requested for more support from the home facilities in order for the team to perform better in their home ground. Despite expecting the track to favour spin bowling, LSG's decision to bring in M Siddharth instead of Prince Yadav backfired as PBKS's fast bowling group proved to be too much for them.
On Monday, Mumbai Indians' medium-pacer Ashwani Kumar, a 23-year-old from Punjab's Jhanjeri, became the first Indian ever to take four wickets on his Indian Premier League debut, helping his team to an easy win against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium. Despite appearing at trials for multiple IPL franchises, Ashwani's humble village background and love for classic Punjabi food kept him grounded and motivated for his record-breaking performance. Coach Varinder Singh worked with Ashwani to develop his skills, and his proud mother, Meena Kumari, shared his love for besan ka chilla and aloo parathas with the media after the match.
Batting superstar Virat Kohli recently expressed his criticism towards the BCCI's decision to limit family time on international tours. This move has caused controversy, with players feeling that it affects their focus and personal well-being. Yuvraj Singh's wife, Hazel Keech, has spoken out in support of the updated policy, stating that it benefits both players and their families. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has confirmed that the rule will remain in place for the time being, citing its importance to the country and the board.
After leading the Indian cricket team to victory in the ICC Champions Trophy, Virat Kohli has announced his next big goal - winning the ODI World Cup in 2027. Amid speculation about his potential retirement, Kohli made it clear that he is not looking to slow down anytime soon. Meanwhile, other Indian players, including Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer, are set to retain their A+ grade contracts.
Pakistan's struggles continued in the second ODI against New Zealand as they lost seven wickets while chasing a target of 293. Star batter Babar Azam, who failed to perform in the first ODI, could only manage 1 run before being dismissed by Jacob Duffy. With fans and cricket enthusiasts expressing frustration over his ongoing struggles with the bat, the pressure is on Babar to deliver in the upcoming matches of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand. Despite his form difficulties, many still believe that Babar's class is permanent and a big innings is just around the corner.
In a high-scoring and intense game, the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Denver Nuggets, 140-139, in double overtime. Despite a career-high 61 points from Nikola Jokic, the Timberwolves were able to rally and secure the win with two clutch free throws from Nickeil Alexander-Walker. The win also marks the Timberwolves' fourth consecutive victory over the Nuggets this season.
Nishant Dev, a young boxer from India, has recently turned professional after being inspired by legends like Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. The 23-year-old made his debut in the professional boxing world after falling in love with the sport while watching YouTube videos. Despite his loss in the Paris Olympics, Nishant's decision to go pro was not influenced by that defeat and he continues to train hard under the guidance of former American boxer Ronald Simms.