On Sunday, Novak Djokovic emerged victorious at the US Open by defeating Daniil Medvedev 6-3 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 in the men’s final. This win adds to his impressive record of 24 grand slam singles titles.
The world No. 2 further cemented himself as one of the greatest tennis players ever – with Sunday’s win, he matches Margaret Court’s record for most all-time grand slam titles.
In a second match between the two players who previously competed in the 2021 US Open final, the Serbian was able to get back at his previous defeat from No. 3 seed Medvedev at New York’s Arthur Ashe Stadium, marking a successful comeback to the United States.
“It holds immense significance for me,” Djokovic expressed following the match. “I am truly fulfilling my childhood aspiration to compete at the pinnacle of this sport, which has brought my family and me great abundance.”
In front of a highly esteemed audience, Djokovic displayed his usual impressive performance in the first set, never allowing his opponent to earn a break point and hitting 12 winners in just nine games. As he headed into the final on Sunday, Djokovic had a remarkable record of 72 wins and only one loss at the US Open when winning the first set, with his sole defeat coming from Stan Wawrinka in the 2016 final.
The second set was highly contested, with Djokovic and Medvedev evenly exchanging games in an intense back-and-forth match. After a nail-biting hour and 45 minutes, Djokovic ultimately emerged as the victor with a 7-5 tiebreak win.
After gaining momentum and being one set away from his fourth US Open title, Djokovic easily won the match and only needed one championship point to secure this historic win.
At the US Open, the 36-year-old achieved a historic victory, becoming the oldest male to win the singles title in the Open era. He also made history by being the first male to win three grand slam titles in a single season for the fourth time, previously accomplishing this feat in 2011, 2015, and 2021.
Novak Djokovic has now surpassed Rafael Nadal (22) and Roger Federer (20) to hold the record for most men’s singles titles in tennis history.
“I am truly amazed and honored to have made history in this sport. It is a truly special achievement in every sense of the word.” Djokovic stated.
During a post-game press conference, Djokovic revealed that his six-year-old daughter was seated in the front row and would smile at him when he needed a boost of energy.
He expressed the significance of his daughter and nine-year-old son witnessing his victory when they were old enough to comprehend it.
When asked about his motivation, Djokovic stated that he wants to continue playing at the highest level before retiring from the sport.
Novak Djokovic pays tribute to a tennis icon with a monumental victory.
Following his victory, Novak Djokovic was overcome with emotion and briefly knelt down before making his way to the stands to join his family in celebration.
Upon his return to the court, Djokovic paid tribute to the late NBA icon Kobe Bryant by donning a blue shirt featuring a photo of himself and the Lakers legend. The shirt was emblazoned with the words “Mamba Forever” and the number 24, which Bryant wore during the latter half of his professional basketball career.
“I believed it would be a meaningful gesture to honor him,” stated Djokovic, who viewed Bryant as a dear companion.
Djokovic spoke extensively about the mindset of a winner during my injury and journey back to the top of my sport. He credited his relationship with Bryant for helping him through this tough time.
I count on him more than anyone else. He consistently offers guidance, suggestions, and assistance in a warm and welcoming manner.
Chances to create a significant impact in the past.
During each of the four major tennis tournaments this year, Djokovic had the chance to create a new record.
At the Australian Open, he matched Rafael Nadal’s 22 grand slam titles, then surpassed him with a record-breaking 23 titles at the French Open. However, he lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final.
In January 2024, the Serbian player will have a chance to surpass Court and become the most successful player in terms of wins at the Australian Open.
This report includes contribution from Eryn Mathewson of CNN.
Source: cnn.com
