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Several tennis fans rallied in support of Alexei Popyrin after he was criticized for his intense celebration following his win over Novak Djokovic in the third-round at the 2024 US Open. The Australian defeated the No. 2 seed to advance further in the tournament.
Popyrin dominated from the outset, taking the first two sets 6-2, 6-2. While Djokovic staged a brief comeback in the third, winning 6-2, he couldn't maintain the momentum, losing the fourth set 4-6 and the match. This also marked Djokovic's earliest US Open exit since 2006.
Following the match, Popyrin embraced Djokovic at the net before celebrating with a fist pump and a roar in front of the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd. However, a Djokovic fan took issue with the 25-year-old's celebration and criticized it.
"Yes! You scream! You celebrate! You beat a 37-year-old man who has been celebrating his gold medal for too long! Who hit 14 double faults and couldn’t find a first serve because of abdominal issues! You scream! You fist-pump. You did well! " They wrote on X.
Many tennis fans later came to the defense of Popyrin's celebration. One fan slammed the Serb's fanbase, writing:
"This is why no one can stand Djokovic fans."
In response to the original post, a fan highlighted that Djokovic had celebrated similarly after his victory over Popyrin in the second round of the Australian Open earlier in January.
"This how Djokovic celebrated against Popyrin at this year's Australian Open btw," they said.
Here are a few more reactions from the fans who defended Popyrin:
"Ah, so hypocritical comments about over celebrating when Djokovic has been doing that for 15 years? DFs, Olympic gold blamed, age (but when he wins at 37 it's amazing), abdom injuries. Did you forget anymore excuses ????? Crowd fault because he's hated by them all????" another fan wrote.
"Yolita gets to know about Novak's injuries before Novak himself," a fan commented.
"Reminder that a player is celebrating one of the biggest wins of his career. Players should be allowed to celebrate how they want," another wrote.
"No, he beat the GOAT, and it's completely fine that he celebrates as he wants," a fan chimed in.
Novak Djokovic hit 14 double faults during the match, the highest in his career. In contrast, Alexei Popyrin's 50 winners were pivotal in securing his first triumph over the World No. 2.
US Open 3R defeat marks first time in six years Novak Djokovic ends a season without winning a Grand Slam
The shock defeat to Alexei Popyrin ended Novak Djokovic's hopes of winning a record 25th Grand Slam title, at least for the 2024 season. Additionally, this marked the first time since 2017 that Djokovic has finished a season without a major title.
Djokovic, who didn't play any tournaments between the Paris Olympics and the US Open, admitted that his campaign in the French capital left him exhausted, preventing him from performing at his best in New York.
"I spent a lot of energy winning the gold and I did arrive in New York not feeling fresh. I tried my best, I didn't have any physical issues. I just felt out of gas, and you could see that. From the first match I just didn't find myself on this court," Novak Djokovic told the press (via ATP Tour).
Popyrin's triumph over Djokovic takes him to the fourth round at Flushing Meadows where he will face home favorite Frances Tiafoe. Meanwhile, Djokovic's search for a tour-level title this year continues.
