World says the same thing after Novak Djokovic loss sparks 22-year tennis first

Aussie Alexei Popyrin’s wild victory over Novak Djokovic has triggered a moment the tennis world has been waiting for for over two decades.

Australian Alexei Popyrin’s monster 6-4 6-4 2-6 6-4 upset of Novak Djokovic wasn’t just the biggest win of the 25-year-old’s career — he may well have just ended an era.

The tennis world has been dominated for the best part of this century by the three most successful grand slam champions in men’s tennis history with Novak Djokovic (24), Rafael Nadal (22) and Roger Federer (20) claiming 66 titles between them.

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For many people, it’s hard to remember a time when the three superstars weren’t dominating the tennis world, dating back to Federer’s breakthrough win at Wimbledon in 2003.

It’s also the first time since 2017 that Djokovic hasn’t won a major, and the first time since 2004 that at least one of the Big Three hasn’t made it to the final 16 of a grand slam tournament.

Between then and the 2023 US Open final, only 15 events were won by other players not in the Big Three, with three each for Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka, two for Carlos Alcaraz, and one each for Andy Roddick, Gaston Gaudio, Marat Safin, Juan Martin del Potro, Marin Cilic, Dominic Thiem and Daniil Medvedev.

But in 2024, Popyrin’s win has finally brought an end to the Big Three dominance, as it will be the first calendar year where neither Federer, Nadal or Djokovic have claimed a grand slam.

What an era it’s been. Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP

The tennis world has long been waiting for the next generation to come through and even with Federer’s retirement in 2022 and Nadal’s injury woes, Djokovic had proved to be a more than substantial gatekeeper holding the youngsters back.

In 2022 and 2023, Nadal won two titles, while Djokovic had won four, while Alcaraz snatched the other two.

But so far in 2024, Jannik Sinner won the Australian Open, while Alcaraz claimed the French Open and Wimbledon.

And with Djokovic out of the US Open at the earliest point since 2006, where he lost to Lleyton Hewitt, the Big Three era appears to be officially over.

While there is no doubt that a rested, fit and healthy Djokovic could absolutely claim a record 25th grand slam title, which would take him past Margaret Court’s total of 24, the next generation are going to make sure it’s not easy.

The season has not been a total bust for Djokovic after he claimed the Olympic gold he had long coveted in Paris, but it also appears Djokovic is not the same player he was in his youth.

While he’s still undoubtedly one of the best players on the planet, particularly when not battling a knee injury as he has throughout the year, he is also 37.

And Father Time is undefeated.

The man’s record is insane. Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP

The Big Three X account, which is run by director of tennis at New York’s Court 16 Nick Nemeroff, tweeted: “‘End of an era.’ Have heard that one before …”

One fan replied: “This is real for sure. Rafa will announce, Murray already announced retirement. Djokovic might hang on for a year, but unlikely to win another slam.”

Another fan said: “It truly now is the end of an era and the changing of the guard.”

Another commented: “That’s incredible. End of an era for sure.”

A career-high 14 double faults and 49 unforced errors in total saw Djokovic end up on the wrong side of the ledger against Popyrin, who is seeded at a major for the first time — and making the most of it.

“It was just an awful match for me,” Djokovic said. “I mean, I tried so many things, and sometimes that’s an issue … you move away from the basics that work, You lose the foundation.

“You lose the movement, the timing, the rhythm, the tempo, everything, whether it’s a serve or any other shot.”

That’s how much it means to Alexei Popyrin. Photo: Sarah Stier/Getty Images/AFP

Djokovic also paid the Aussie the ultimate compliment, saying he has what it takes to go deep in New York.

“I don’t know what to make of that question. I mean, look, he’s just beaten me, the defending champion here, so, I mean, he deserves credit for that and respect,” he said.

“If he serves well (and) plays well, he can beat anybody.

“Look, Alcaraz is out. I’m out. (There have been) some big upsets. The draw is opening up.”

Djokovic said that while Sinner is his main favourite after Djokovic and Alcaraz were sent crashing out of the tournament: “Anybody can take it”.

Popyrin will face American Frances Tiafoe next after he defeated fellow American Ben Shelton in a five-set thriller.

And Djokovic will go back to the drawing board to plot his record-breaking 25 title in 2025.

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Originally published as World says the same thing after Novak Djokovic loss sparks 22-year tennis first