Novak Djokovic sealed his 24th Grand Slam victory at the U.S. Open, equaling Margaret Court’s legendary record, as he defeated Daniil Medvedev in a thrilling final on Sunday. Djokovic’s remarkable season, including wins at the Australian Open and Roland Garros, culminated in this historic achievement. The victory also ensured his return to the top of the world rankings.
In a riveting clash at the Flushing Meadows, Djokovic displayed unyielding determination, prevailing over the Russian challenger, Medvedev, with a score of 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-3. This win marked Djokovic’s fourth U.S. Open title in ten final appearances.
Djokovic’s journey towards a calendar Grand Slam fell just short when he lost in a five-set battle to Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final. However, the Serbian tennis maestro cherished his 24th Grand Slam title as a significant milestone in his illustrious career.
“It obviously means the world to me,” Djokovic expressed, his emotions palpable. “I’m really living my childhood dream. To make history in this sport is something truly remarkable; it’s hard to describe in words.”
As Djokovic continues to chase history, he is making a strong case for being regarded as the greatest tennis player of all time. At 36 years old, he became the oldest U.S. Open men’s winner in the Open Era, yet his hunger for Grand Slam titles remains undiminished.
“Eventually, one day I will leave tennis in about 23, 24 years,” Djokovic humorously remarked. “Until then, I guess you’ll see me a bit more. I don’t put any number right now in my mind on how many Slams I want to win. I’ll continue to prioritize them as my most important tournaments and where I want to play the best tennis.”
In a poignant moment after securing the historic victory, Djokovic threw his racquet into the air and dropped to his knees as the crowd roared. He then embraced his young daughter court-side, a heartfelt scene that resonated with fans. Subsequently, Djokovic retrieved a T-shirt with ‘Mamba Forever’ on the front and the number 24 on the back. This gesture paid tribute to his achievement and to his late friend, the Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, who wore the number throughout his illustrious career before tragically passing away in a helicopter crash.
“I thought of doing this T-shirt, eventually, if I get the chance to win the tournament,” Djokovic revealed. “Kobe was a close friend, and we chatted a lot about the winner’s mentality. When I was struggling with injury, he was one of the people I relied on the most.”
While neither Djokovic nor Medvedev has always been embraced by New York crowds, their showdown lacked none of the electricity that pervaded Arthur Ashe Stadium during the women’s final the previous day.
As the match commenced, Djokovic and Medvedev locked eyes across the net, evoking memories of their clash two years ago when Medvedev denied Djokovic a calendar Grand Slam.
Reflecting on his journey to the final, Djokovic emphasized the lessons learned from that loss. “Two years ago, that’s what happened, and I wasn’t able to be at my best, and I was outplayed. So I learned my lesson.”
The Djokovic-Medvedev final showcased the hardcourt skills of two of the sport’s premier athletes, with every point hotly contested through extended rallies from the baseline. Djokovic seized the early initiative, breaking Medvedev in the first opportunity and surging to a 3-0 lead.
A grueling second set lasting one hour and 44 minutes saw Medvedev come alive, pushing Djokovic into protracted rallies. However, the Russian’s valiant efforts couldn’t produce a set-winning breakthrough, with Djokovic ultimately claiming the tie-break 7-5 for a 2-0 lead.
Djokovic’s killer instinct was evident in the third set as he secured an early break to go up 3-1. Though Medvedev mounted a spirited challenge with a break of his own, Djokovic retaliated with another break and held serve, clinching the title.
Djokovic’s 24th Grand Slam victory etched his name further into tennis history, as he equalled Margaret Court’s record and solidified his status as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
