Four-time US Open champion Novak Djokovic believes Australia's Alexei Popyrin has what it takes to go all the way in New York.
The former world No.1 was on the receiving end of an upset on Arthur Ashe Stadium at the hands of Popyrin, failing to produce his best tennis in an uninspiring performance, broken five times having served 14 double faults in four sets.
Speaking to reporters after the defeat, Djokovic admitted that the draw is blown wide open and that anyone is capable of winning the tournament, including the 25-year-old Sydneysider.
“I mean, look, he's just beaten me, the defending champion here, so he deserves credit for that and respect," said the 24-time Grand Slam champion after the match. "If he serves well, plays well, he can beat anybody.
"Look, Alcaraz is out, I'm out, you know, some big upsets. The draw is opening up. Obviously Sinner is the main favourite, but then (Frances) Tiafoe is there as well as American favourite (Taylor) Fritz. (Alexander) Zverev, you have great guys playing well, and (Andrey) Rublev, (Grigor) Dimitrov in this part of the draw.
"Anybody can take it. It's going to be interesting to see who takes the title in the end.”
After having some time to reflect on a disappointing campaign at Flushing Meadows, the 24-time major winner was full of praise for Popyrin before opening up about his struggles throughout the tournament.
“Congrats to him and his team. He played better and deserved to win," Djokovic confessed.
"Honestly with the way I felt and played from the start of the tournament… round three is a success. I played some of the worst tennis I’ve ever played.
"[I served] by far some of the worst ever. On a quick surface like this, you can’t win without a serve. You can’t win against the guys who are in form like Alexei. It was just an awful match from me.”
The chopping and changing of surfaces recently between Grand Slams and the Paris Olympics could be one reason why two heavy favourites, Djokovic and Alcaraz, have failed to reach the second week.
Coming off a maiden gold medal at the start of August, Djokovic was asked whether the emotional victory took a toll on him.
"It’s a different surface. It obviously had an effect [and] I spent a lot of energy winning the gold," he said.
"I did arrive [in] New York not feeling fresh mentally and physically. Because it’s US Open I gave it a shot. I didn’t have physical issues. I just felt out of gas. You could see that with the way I played from the very beginning. From the first match, I didn’t find myself at all on this court.
"That’s all I can say. Life moves on. I’ll try to recalibrate and look for what’s next.”
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