The 2024 US Open has been full of surprises, with the shocking second-round defeat of Carlos Alcaraz to Botic van de Zandschulp followed by Novak Djokovic’s third-round loss to Alexei Popyrin.
For the first time since 2002, none of the year’s four major titles—Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and US Open—will be claimed by the legendary trio of Djokovic, Roger Federer, or Rafael Nadal, often referred to as the “Big 3.”
Tennis might be entering a new era, with younger players gaining momentum on the tour and new stars emerging. Jannik Sinner, when asked about the unexpected losses of his peers, highlighted the unpredictable nature of the sport.
“As we see anything can happen in this sport. I try to stay on my side of the net. Taking it day by day. Each opponent is a tough challenge. Trying to enjoy every moment on the court. There have been a couple of upsets. Let’s see what’s coming. I’m happy to still be here and hopefully play as many matches as possible,” Sinner said during his on-court interview.
Botic van De Zandschulp of the Netherlands shakes hands with Carlos Alcaraz of Spain after winning in second round. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
Novak Djokovic reflects on his loss
Novak Djokovic faced an unexpected early exit at the US Open, losing in the third round to Australia’s Alexei Popyrin at Arthur Ashe Stadium. In his post-match press conference, Djokovic didn’t shy away from critiquing his performance, admitting it was one of the worst of his career.
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“Honestly, the way I felt and the way I played from the beginning of this tournament – making it to the third round feels like an achievement. I’ve played some of the worst tennis I’ve ever played, and my serving was by far the worst ever,” Djokovic stated.
Carlos Alcaraz stunned in second round
World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz also suffered a surprising defeat, falling in the second round to Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp, ranked 74th in the ATP standings.
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“Right now, I feel like I’ve taken steps backward mentally, and I don’t understand why,” Alcaraz admitted during his press conference. “I’ve had a spectacular summer at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. I left those tournaments feeling like I’d made mental progress, realizing that to win big titles, you have to be mentally strong.”
