Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz are both running on empty after a busy summer schedule, according to Jack Draper.

Jack Draper isn’t surprised that Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic are drained (Image: Getty)

The quickfire exits of Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz at the U.S. Open were unprecedented at such an early stage, but Jack Draper believes there’s a clear explanation for why both stars underperformed. The Paris Olympics appear to have taken its toll on several tennis players, and Draper is convinced that Djokovic and Alcaraz are emotionally and physically drained.

Alcaraz was stopped in the second round after losing in straight sets to Botic van de Zandschulp and Djokovic fell a round later, losing in four sets to Alexei Popyrin. Both Alcaraz and Djokovic continue to dominate the men’s singles and recently met in both the Wimbledon and Olympic finals, but it caught up to them in New York.

Even when both stars went two sets down in their respective matches it was expected they would fight back and clinch a five-set thriller, just as fans have seen many times before. However, both lacked the energy required and Draper is convinced it’s down to the Olympics.

“Yeah, I mean, it is obviously weird, but you know, I think both of them obviously played the Olympic final,” Draper said after beating Van de Zandschulp to advance to the fourth round. “I think that’s taken a lot out of them.

“It’s taken a lot out of everyone, but they obviously made the finals, and it was emotional for both of them. Obviously, Novak, that was probably his biggest goal, and to come through that is obviously emotionally challenging to sort of have a rest and then come here.

Draper thinks that Alcaraz and Djokovic have burnt out (Image: Getty)

“Same with Carlos as well. You know, he’s achieved so much this year winning the French, Wimbledon. I’m not surprised that they’re probably feeling really tired and emotionally a bit drained.

“But I watched both the matches, and I thought Botic played an incredibly high level of tennis against Alcaraz. Even Popyrin last night, he won in Montreal, and again, 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. There’s 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 would have faced Alcaraz if not for the upset but ended up dominating Van de Zandschulp and setting up a fourth-round clash with Tomas Machac.