Novak Djokovic admits the ‘issue’ he was dealing with at the US Open after suffering early exit

Novak Djokovic admits the ‘issue’ he was dealing with at the US Open after suffering early exit

Novak Djokovic, one of the greatest tennis players of all time, shocked the tennis world with an uncharacteristically early exit from the 2024 US Open. As fans and analysts alike speculated on what could have gone wrong for the 23-time Grand Slam champion, Djokovic himself opened up about the “issue” that hindered his performance during the tournament.

Djokovic, who entered the US Open as the top seed and a heavy favorite, was widely expected to make a deep run, if not win the tournament outright. His record at the US Open is stellar, and his form throughout the 2024 season had been impeccable, with victories at the Australian Open and Wimbledon under his belt. However, in a surprising turn of events, Djokovic was ousted in the third round by an unseeded opponent, marking one of his earliest exits in a Grand Slam tournament in recent years.

In the days following his loss, Djokovic held a press conference where he addressed the speculations surrounding his performance. “There was an issue I was dealing with,” Djokovic admitted, without going into too much detail. He mentioned that the problem had arisen shortly before the tournament began and had affected his preparation and overall game. While he refrained from specifying whether it was a physical injury, an illness, or a mental challenge, Djokovic acknowledged that it had been significant enough to impact his play.

It’s not an excuse,” Djokovic clarified. “I’ve always believed in giving my best no matter what the circumstances. But this time, things didn’t go as planned. I couldn’t play at my usual level, and it cost me.”
Throughout his career, Djokovic has been known for his resilience, mental toughness, and ability to adapt to difficult situations on the court. However, during his US Open matches, he appeared uncharacteristically sluggish, his movement less precise, and his usually razor-sharp focus seemed slightly off. Observers noted that Djokovic’s serve lacked its usual power and consistency, and his groundstrokes, often a reliable weapon, were erratic at times.

Djokovic’s opponent in the third round, who pulled off the upset, acknowledged the Serb’s struggles, saying in a post-match interview, “You could tell something wasn’t right with him. But even on an off day, Novak is a tough competitor. I’m just fortunate to have taken my chances.”