Jack Draper Reflects on Djokovic and Alcaraz’s US Open Exit: “Not Surprised They Were Drained”
Jack Draper has weighed in on the shocking early exits of Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz at this year’s US Open, suggesting that their deep runs at the Paris Olympics left them both physically and emotionally drained. The British No. 1 admitted he wasn’t surprised to see them struggle, given the demands of competing at the highest level across multiple major tournaments in a short span of time.
The tennis world was left in disbelief after back-to-back upsets in the opening week at Flushing Meadows. First, reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion Alcaraz suffered a straight-sets defeat at the hands of Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp. Then, a day later, Djokovic—who was the defending champion—was sent packing by Australia’s Alexei Popyrin in another major shock.
Their early departures marked a historic moment in tennis, as it was the first time since 2000 that two of the top three seeds had failed to make it past the first week at the US Open. This has completely altered the dynamics of the tournament, leaving the draw wide open. However, world No. 1 Jannik Sinner remains the favorite to claim the final Grand Slam title of the season.
The Olympic Effect on Djokovic and Alcaraz
Draper, who went on to defeat Van de Zandschulp in the third round, believes the physically grueling and emotionally taxing Paris Olympics played a significant role in the performances of Djokovic and Alcaraz. The two superstars had battled in the gold medal match at Roland Garros, with Djokovic emerging victorious to claim his long-coveted Olympic title—one of the few accolades missing from his legendary career.
For Djokovic, the Olympic gold was a career-defining moment, fulfilling a dream he had been chasing for years. Now, with that box finally ticked, questions have emerged about whether he has the same hunger and motivation to continue dominating the sport. Draper acknowledged that such a massive achievement could have left the Serbian emotionally exhausted coming into the US Open.
“It is obviously weird, but I think both of them played the Olympic final. That’s taken a lot out of them,” Draper explained. “It’s taken a lot out of everyone, but they obviously made the finals, and it was emotional for both of them. Obviously, for Novak, that was probably his biggest goal. To come through that is obviously emotionally challenging, to sort of have a rest and then come here.”
Draper also pointed out that Alcaraz, who had a phenomenal season winning Roland Garros and Wimbledon, might have simply reached a point of exhaustion. “Same with Carlos as well. He’s achieved so much this year—winning the French and Wimbledon. I’m not surprised that they’re probably feeling really tired and emotionally a bit drained,” he added.
Giving Credit to the Underdogs
While much of the discussion has revolved around the fatigue of Djokovic and Alcaraz, Draper was quick to credit the performances of Van de Zandschulp and Popyrin, emphasizing that their victories were well-earned.
“But I watched both the matches, and I thought Botic played an incredibly high level of tennis against Alcaraz,” Draper noted. “Even Popyrin last night—he won Montreal. I watched the opening two sets before I went to bed. I didn’t honestly feel like Djokovic was playing incredibly badly. Maybe his serve was a bit below par, but I felt like Popyrin played an incredible match as well.”
Van de Zandschulp, ranked outside the top 30, displayed some of his best tennis to dismantle Alcaraz in straight sets. His aggressive play and ability to capitalize on crucial moments allowed him to dominate a player who had previously seemed invincible in big matches. Meanwhile, Popyrin’s victory over Djokovic was a testament to his rising stature on the ATP Tour. The Australian had already proven his mettle earlier in the season, winning the Canadian Open in Montreal, and he carried that confidence into his match against the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
“There are a lot of players on the tour at the moment who are really dangerous and, on their day, can play an amazing match against the best players in the world,” Draper continued. His comments highlight the increasing depth of talent in men’s tennis, where even the most dominant players are no longer guaranteed deep runs at every tournament.
What’s Next for Djokovic and Alcaraz?
With their US Open campaigns ending earlier than expected, both Djokovic and Alcaraz will now have to reassess their plans for the remainder of the season. The biggest question surrounding Djokovic is whether he still has the drive to compete at the highest level after finally capturing Olympic gold. At 37 years old, he has nothing left to prove, but knowing his competitive nature, he is unlikely to walk away from the sport just yet.
For Alcaraz, the focus will be on recovery and fine-tuning his game ahead of the indoor hardcourt season. The young Spaniard has already established himself as one of the biggest stars in the sport, but maintaining consistency throughout a full calendar year remains a challenge. His loss at the US Open might serve as a valuable learning experience, pushing him to manage his schedule more effectively in the future.
Meanwhile, the tournament at Flushing Meadows marches on without two of its biggest names. With Djokovic and Alcaraz out of the picture, all eyes are now on Jannik Sinner, who remains the top contender for the title. The Italian has been in formidable form and has a golden opportunity to secure his first Grand Slam.
A Changing Landscape in Men’s Tennis?
The early exits of Djokovic and Alcaraz serve as a reminder that even the greatest players are not invincible, particularly in an era where the physical and mental demands of the sport continue to rise. The grueling schedule, including events like the Olympics, can take a toll on even the most elite athletes.
Draper’s assessment of their struggles offers valuable insight into the evolving dynamics of the sport. As younger players like Sinner, Holger Rune, and Ben Shelton continue to rise, the days of complete dominance by just one or two players might be coming to an end.
For now, however, the immediate focus is on the remainder of the US Open and who will seize the opportunity to step into the spotlight with two of the sport’s biggest names already eliminated.
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