Novak Djokovic furious after crashing out of US Open - 'Some of the worst tennis I have ever played'

But his Australian opponent won 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 to go through instead.

Djokovic is set to end the year without a Grand Slam for the first time since 2017, having struggled for consistency in 2024.

And the tennis legend was livid with himself after his defeat, saying he'd played some of the 'worst tennis' of his entire career.

"He definitely played better and deserved to win," he said.

"I mean, on my end, honestly, the way I felt and the way I played from the beginning of this tournament, third round is a success.

"I have played some of the worst tennis I have ever played, honestly, serving by far the worst ever."

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Djokovic then proceeded to say the match had been 'awful', while hailing Popyrin for his sensational win.

"If you play on a quick surface like this without the serve, without ability to win free points there, very low first-serve percentage, many double faults, then you can't win," he said.

"You can't win, especially against the guys who are in form like Alexei who is serving big, puts a lot of pressure on your service game.

"It was just an awful match for me."

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Djokovic played in the US Open just weeks after winning gold at the Paris Olympics.

He previously played at the French Open and Wimbledon, despite struggling with injury.

And Djokovic admits that his busy schedule may have taken a toll as his hopes of winning the final major of the year ended in disaster.

"Obviously, it had an effect," he said.

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"I spent a lot of energy winning the gold, and I did arrive to New York just not feeling fresh mentally and physically.

"But because it's US Open I gave it a shot and I tried my best. I didn't have any physical issues.

"I just felt out of gas, you know, and you could see that with the way I played."

Popyrin, meanwhile, has revealed he took inspiration from Carlos Alcaraz's shock defeat to Botic Van de Zandschulp 24 hours previously as he sprung another big shock.

"I was asleep so I actually didn't see any of the match, but I woke up this morning and showed my girlfriend straightaway in shock," he said.

"It was crazy.

"Results like that happen. I thought to myself, why not me today?

"I think the way I composed myself and the way I tactically played the match, that was up there with one of the best matches that I have played."