Does Djokovic defeat spell the end of golden generation's era of dominance?

For the first time in 22 years, the year's Grand Slam roll of honor will not feature any of the "Big Three "after Novak Djokovic suffered his earliest US Open exit since 2006.

The 24-time major winner's stunning third-round loss to Alexei Popyrin left the Serbian star facing a season without a Slam title for the first time in seven years.

"I played some of the worst tennis I have ever played," admitted a crestfallen Djokovic after his title defense in New York came to an abrupt end at the hands of his 28th-ranked opponent.