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As Novak Djokovic sat down to reflect on his surprising third-round exit at the US Open in the early hours of Saturday morning, he was blunt about his performance. Despite advancing to the third round, Djokovic admitted he had played so poorly in New York that just getting that far was an achievement. Above all, he felt drained after an exhausting summer.
“Obviously, it had an effect,” Djokovic said. “I spent a lot of energy winning the gold, and when I arrived in New York, I didn’t feel mentally or physically fresh. But since it’s the US Open, I gave it a shot and did my best. I didn’t have any physical issues; I just ran out of gas.”
Djokovic’s fatigue mirrored that of other players, such as Carlos Alcaraz, who also noted exhaustion as a factor in his early exit. Both players, who had performed well at Wimbledon and the Olympics, struggled to maintain their energy levels, with the constant shifts between clay, grass, and hard courts adding to the challenge.
Their early departures left the tournament wide open. It’s the first time since 2000 that two of the top three seeds in the men’s draw were eliminated so early. With only Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev remaining as Grand Slam champions, and Medvedev being the only former US Open winner, the draw is as unpredictable as it has been in years.
This unpredictability may become more common. For the first time since 2002, none of Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, or Roger Federer have won a Grand Slam in a calendar year. While Djokovic remains the last of the “Big Three” competing at a high level, even he is starting to feel the toll of age and the younger generation’s rise.
Alcaraz, at 21, is still developing as a top player and is expected to build an exceptional career. But as Djokovic reaches a turning point in his own journey, fatigue, injuries, and a lack of motivation have begun to creep in. After a stellar 2023 season, where he won the Australian, French, and US Open titles, and nearly claimed Wimbledon, this summer has been a mixed bag for Djokovic. His Olympic gold stands out as a highlight, but overall, he has struggled with form and focus. With his early exit from the US Open, Djokovic now has time to reassess and decide what comes next in his career.
