Novak Djokovic refused to allow Daniil Medvedev to ruin his second rendezvous with history, defeating the Russian 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-3 to win the U.S. Open and tie Margaret Court’s record tally of 24 Grand Slams.
Djokovic’s win, his fourth in ten Flushing Meadows finals, ended an incredible season that included victories at the Australian Open and Roland Garros, and he will reclaim the top spot in the global rankings when they are updated later on Monday.
No man has won a calendar Grand Slam in 54 years, though Djokovic came close again in the Wimbledon final, losing in five sets to Carlos Alcaraz.
But for the time being, he is enjoying his 24th slam.
“It obviously means the world to me,” he explained. “I’m living my childhood dream.”
“It’s difficult to put into words how incredible it is to make history in this sport.”
“When I was seven or eight years old, I had a childhood dream of becoming the best player in the world.”
As he pursues his objective, Djokovic stakes his claim to the title of greatest tennis player of all time.
At 36, Djokovic becomes the oldest U.S. Open men’s winner in Open Era history, but the Serb’s Grand Slam ambitions remain unabated. “I don’t have a number in mind right now in terms of how many Slams I want to win,” he says.
“I’ll continue to prioritize them as my most important tournaments and as the places where I want to play my best tennis. He also had some terrible news for his younger competitors.
“Eventually, in about 23 or 24 years, I’ll leave tennis,” he laughed. “Until then, I suppose you’ll see me more.
Almost every point was contested with long rallies as both men pounded away from the baseline, as one would expect from a match between the sport’s two best hardcourt players.
Djokovic came out firing and exerted immediate pressure, breaking the third seed at the first opportunity on his way to a 3-0 lead.
That would be the only break Djokovic needed against a disappointingly flat Medvedev, who was unable to achieve the “12 out of 10” level he said he attained in defeating defending champion Alcaraz in the semi-finals.
Medvedev came to life during a prolonged one hour and 44 minute second set, driving a struggling Djokovic into long grinding points after long grinding points.
However, the relentless Russian’s hard work did not pay off, as he was unable to convert a break chance at 6-5, which would have given him the set.
Medvedev surged up 3-1 in the tie-break but was unable to hit the fatal blow as Djokovic rallied off the ropes to win 7-5 and take a 2-0 lead.
If Djokovic boasts one quality, it is a killer instinct, and the Serb wasted no time in capitalizing on his advantage, breaking Medvedev to go up 3-1 in the third.
A furious Medvedev responded with his first and only break of the tournament, but it was not enough, as Djokovic broke right back and held serve the rest of the way to win the title.
