Tennis legend Lindsay Davenport says she is “happy” Novak Djokovic got dumped out of the US Open early as it will allow him some much-needed rest. Davenport, who triumphed at Flushing Meadows in 1998, went on to predict that the Serb will win “two or three” Grand Slams in 2025, taking him up to a record-extending 25 Grand Slams.

Djokovic suffered a shock defeat to Alexei Popyrin in the third round of the US Open on August 31. The 37-year-old, who won the Grand Slam in 2023, described the performance as “some of the worst tennis” he has played as he lost 6-4 6-4 2-6 6-4 and Jannik Sinner went on to be crowned champion.

Some of Djokovic’s most ardent supporters may have been left upset and concerned by the fact he ended the year without clinching a Grand Slam for the first time since 2017. But former American tennis sensation Davenport revealed she was happy with his early exit.

The three-time Grand Slam winner, 48, believes Djokovic will be better for it after being given a rare opportunity to rest. She told Serbian website SportKlub last week: “I’m surprised he lost so early, but in a strange way, I’m happy for him.

“After everything he’s done, it hasn’t been easy for him to play another major tournament since mid-May. I really want him to rest well and play the way he wants to for the rest of the season.

“We always forget that Novak is 37 and has been on tour for 20 years. He knows and feels it. He needs time to enjoy himself, celebrate and then get ready for Australia. I think next year he’ll be able to win two or three Grand Slams.”

Djokovic won three Grand Slams last year but was knocked out in the semis, the quarters and the final of the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon respectively this year. Still, the Serb emerged from the hectic summer schedule an Olympic champion, having beaten Carlos Alcaraz in Paris to win his first long-awaited gold medal.

Davenport said: “I was delighted when he won the gold medal in Paris. If you had asked him whether he preferred to win the four Grand Slam tournaments this year or the Olympic gold, I am convinced he would have said gold.

“It is undoubtedly the best moment in the world of tennis this year. He wanted it more than anyone else, more than anything in the world. And he did all this after a surgery and after losing the final at Wimbledon. This just shows his greatness.”