Novak Djokovic said he “played some of the worst tennis I have ever played” after crashing out of the US Open in a shock third-round defeat.
The defending champion left New York early after 28th seed Alexei Popyrin won 6-4 6-4 2-6 6-4 in their Friday night clash (30 August).
Defeat for Djokovic means it is the first time since 2017 he has not won a grand slam title and is his earliest exit at a major since the Australian Open that year.
He followed Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz in crashing out of the US Open early.
“I have played some of the worst tennis I have ever played, honestly, serving by far the worst ever,” Djokovic said after his defeat.
