The last few weeks of the US Open 2024 stunned the tennis fraternity following a couple of shocking exits including that of the 24-time Grand Slam Champion Novak Djokovic and the reigning Wimbledon and Roland Garros winner Carlos Alcaraz.
Every tennis tournament counts as it reflects heavily on the ATP rankings which is fundamental in determining a player’s draw heading into a major. Djokovic, who recently ‘completed tennis’ by winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, skipped the Canadian and Cincinnati Open due to fatigue.
Participation at the Olympics is majorly a matter of huge honor to represent one’s nation however it doesn’t help a tennis players’ rankings. Hence, despite winning the Olympics without dropping a set, the Serbian still lost a few ATP points prior to entering the US Open.
On the other hand, Carlos Alcaraz who won silver at his maiden Games did participate in Cincinnati but was knocked out by Gael Monfils in the first round.
Currently ranked number #2, the 37-year-old Djokovic went down 406, 4-6, 6-2, 4-6 against the 28th seed from Australia—Alexei Popyrin, who won the biggest title of his career earlier in August when he lifted his maiden ATP Masters 1000 trophy at the Canadian Open.
The third round defeat the Serbian’s hopes of winning a record-extending 25th Grand Slam and a 100th career trophy.
As the defending champion, Novak Djokovic will drop 1,900 points and will drop to number #4 in the next ATP Rankings — his lowest position since January 2023 when he started the year at World No #5.
The last time he was outside the top five was in November 2022. While Alcaraz lost in the second round to Botic van de Zandschulp, he is expected to stay in the top five.
How the ATP rankings might look after US Open 2024
Jannik Sinner – 9,280 points
Alexander Zverev – 6,775
Carlos Alcaraz – 6,690
Novak Djokovic – 5,560
Daniil Medvedev – 5,175
Andrey Rublev – 4,645
Hubert Hurkacz – 4,060
Casper Ruud – 4,010
Grigor Dimitrov – 3,765