Novak Djokovic has become the first player in the Open Era to win a 24th Grand Slam title after outlasting Daniil Medvedev in a testing encounter at the US Open.
The soon-to-be world No.1 rallied to a 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-3, victory in what was a tiresome encounter with the second set of the clash lasting more than an hour and 40 minutes. A key feature of Djokovic’s latest triumph was his play at the net with him winning 37 out of 44 points played. It is the fourth time he has won the trophy at Flushing Meadows in his career and the first time since 2018.
Djokovic has become the first man to win three major titles within the same season on four separate occasions. Besides this year, he also achieved the hat-trick in 2011, 2015 and 2021. Earlier this season he won the Australian Open and French Open before finishing runner-up at Wimbledon.
“I don’t know where to start, it means the world to me [to win 24 titles], I’m living my childhood dream,” said Djokovic.
“To make history in this sport is remarkable. It’s special. In every meaning. It’s hard to describe. I had a childhood dream at eight to win Wimbledon and be the best player in the world.’
“I never imagined I’d be here talking about 24 slams. I didn’t know it would be the reality. But I thought I had a chance over the last few years, why not grab it?”
Playing in a record 36th Grand Slam final, Djokovic got off to a dream start against a tentative Medvedev after breaking the Russian two games into the match. A blistering forehand winner moved him to 40-0 before he broke with the help of an unforced error from his opponent. That early lead proved decisive to the outcome of the opener as Djokovic surged to a 5-2 lead. He then had a chance to secure a double break but was unable to do so. Despite that, he sealed the 6-3 lead.
Historically getting off to a strong start has been crucial for Djokovic. Coming into the final, he has won 72 out of 73 US Open matches when clinching the first set with his only loss being against Stan Wawrinka in 2016.
However, alarm bells started to ring for the 36-year-old during a mammoth gut-busting 105-minute second set. Djokovic looked to have the upper hand early on with him winning 13 consecutive points behind his serve. Then the physicality of the match started to take its toll on him as he started to suddenly look weary on the court and even at one stage fell to the ground following the conclusion of a lengthy rally. He was also stretching numerous parts of his body.
Medvedev continued knocking on the door and had various chances but was unable to get the breakthrough he desired. Failing to capitalize on a set point opportunity whilst leading 6-5 and losing a mini break advantage early in the tiebreaker. Meanwhile, Djokovic continued to battle through the pain as he somehow snatched a two-set lead after a backhand shot from his rival crashed into the net.
Djokovic wasn’t the only one to have physical problems with Medvedev taking a medical timeout for treatment on his right shoulder before the start of the third frame. The play of the 2021 champion frustrated his coach, Gilles Cervara, who uncharacteristically yelled at him during one stage.
The on-court drama continued when Djokovic looked to be cruising to victory after opening up a 3-1 lead before an error-stricken service game handed Medvedev the break back. Triggering more yelling but this time it was Djokovic shouting at his team. Despite that blip, he responded by claiming four straight games to secure the historic title.
“Congrats to you and your team, I feel like I have not had a bad career, I have 24 titles and you have 24 slams,” Medvedev said to Djokovic.
“I said in Australia, but I say it again, the first time we met was when I was 500th in the world. He was kind to me, nothing special, but a normal person. He still is, nothing has changed. Something great about this person you can say.”
As part of his celebration, the new champion put on a custom-made t-shirt which said ‘Mamba forever’ with a photo of NBA player Kobe Bryant who was killed in a helicopter accident three years ago. The two were close friends. The number 24 was Bryant’s jersey number and is now also the amount of slams won by Djokovic.
“I thought about doing this t-shirt a few days ago,” he explains. “I didn’t share it with anybody. Kobe was a close friend of mine, we chatted a lot, about the winner’s mentality.
“When I was struggling with an injury and working my way back. He was one of the people I relied on the most.
“Any counsel, advice… In a friendly way. What happened, his passing, it hurt me deeply. I thought 24, the jersey he wore to become a Lakers legend. It could be a nice symbolic thing to do for him.”
Djokovic has become the oldest male player to have ever won the US Open. On Monday he will return to world No.1 in the ATP Pepperstone Rankings.
