In a thrilling showdown at the US Open, Novak Djokovic emerged victorious against Russian powerhouse Danil Medvedev, securing his 24th career Grand Slam title. The Serbian tennis sensation’s historic triumph solidifies his status as one of the greatest athletes in the sport’s history.
Djokovic’s victory in New York not only marks a personal milestone but also establishes a new benchmark in tennis history. With 24 Grand Slam titles to his name, Djokovic now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Australian legend Margaret Court, who achieved her record in both the amateur and professional eras. Notably, Djokovic surpasses American superstar Serena Williams, who has 23 Grand Slam singles victories in the Open Era. His closest contemporaries, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have 22 and 20 Grand Slam triumphs, respectively.
The Serbian’s accomplishment has left the tennis world in awe, including his opponent in the final, Danil Medvedev, who had this to say about Djokovic’s achievement: “I’ve won 20 tournaments during my career, and I consider it quite successful, and Novak has won 24 Grand Slams alone, and for me, it’s just amazing. I wonder when he will finally let his guard down a bit.”
The clash between Djokovic and Medvedev was their 15th meeting on the court, with the Serbian dominating their head-to-head history. Medvedev had five victories, including a significant one in the 2021 US Open final when he denied Djokovic the coveted calendar Grand Slam.
However, this time around, Djokovic came roaring out of the gates, breaking Medvedev’s serve early in the match and maintaining a relentless grip on the contest. The real battle ensued in the second set, lasting one hour and 44 minutes. Both players showcased exceptional serving skills, making it a closely contested set. Medvedev even had a set point in the 12th game but couldn’t capitalize. Djokovic triumphed in the tie-break, edging closer to victory.
The third set was equally exciting, with Djokovic breaking Medvedev’s serve at 3-1, only for the Russian to claw his way back. However, the pivotal moment came in the sixth game, where Medvedev squandered a 30:0 lead on his serve, allowing Djokovic to break once again. This time, Djokovic capitalized on his advantage and sealed the match after three hours and 16 minutes.
In securing his victory, Djokovic has etched his name into the annals of tennis history. At 36 years old, he became the oldest US Open champion in history, defying age and expectations. Moreover, he achieved the remarkable feat of winning three Grand Slam tournaments in a single season for the fourth time, an accomplishment that underscores his extraordinary consistency and dominance on the court.
Novak Djokovic (Serbia, 2) – Danil Medvedev (Russia, 3) 6:3, 7:6 (5), 6:3