Novak Djokovic extended his record Grand Slam titles to 24 by defeating Daniil Medvedev in the US Open men’s final.

CNN
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Novak Djokovic He won the US Open on Sunday, beating Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 in the men’s final to extend his record Grand Slam singles titles to 24.

Further cementing herself as one of the world’s No. 2 tennis players – with Sunday’s victory, she equaled Margaret Court’s record for all-time Grand Slam titles.

The Serbian completed his triumphant return to the United States by losing to third seed Medvedev in a rematch of the 2021 US Open final at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.

“It means the world to me,” Djokovic said after the match. “I’m really living my childhood dream of competing at the highest level in a sport that has given so much to me and my family.”

Playing in front of the crowd, Djokovic was in his usual dominant form in the first set, not facing a break point while hitting 12 winners in nine games. Entering tonight, Djokovic won the first set 72-1 at the US Open, losing to Stan Wawrinka in the 2016 final.

The second set was more competitive as Djokovic and Medvedev traded the game back and forth, culminating in the Serb’s 7-5 tiebreak victory after one hour and 45 minutes.

From there, with momentum in his favor and a fourth US Open title a set away, Djokovic cruised to victory, needing just one championship point to seal the historic title.

With the victory, the 36-year-old became the oldest man to win a US Open singles title in the Open era and the first man to win three Grand Slam titles in one season for the fourth time – previously in 2011, 2015 and 2021.

Djokovic has won more men’s singles titles than Spain’s Rafael Nadal (22) and Switzerland’s Roger Federer (20).

“Making history in this sport is truly remarkable and special in every possible sense of the word,” Djokovic said.

After his victory, an emotional Djokovic briefly dropped to his hands and knees before walking towards his family in the stands.

When he returned to the court, Djokovic honored late NBA superstar Kobe Bryant with a blue shirt emblazoned with the words “Mamba Forever” on the front and a photo of the Lakers legend and number emblazoned on the back. Bryant wore number 24 for the second half of his professional basketball career.

“I thought it would be a good sign to recognize him,” said Djokovic, who considers Bryant a close friend.

“We talked a lot about the winner’s mentality when I was struggling with the injury and trying to play again and again and get back to the top of the game,” Djokovic said of his relationship with Bryant. “He was one of the people I trusted the most. He was always very friendly for any advice, counsel, any kind of support.

every time Grand Slam This year, Djokovic A chance to make history.

He equaled Rafael Nadal’s 22 Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open, pulled clear of the men’s record 23 Grand Slam titles at the French Open and lost to Carlos Algaraz. Wimbledon Final.

Standing in his way on Sunday was third seed Daniil Medvedev, who shocked Algaraz in the semifinals and has already beaten Djokovic in the US Open final.

Although Medvedev’s game is better suited to fast hard courts, he expected Djokovic to be “10 times better than he was that day”.

“Against Novak, it’s the same. He’s always better than he’s played before,” Medvedev said, according to the ATP Tour. “For example, I beat him in the US Open final and he beat me in Percy in a great match. Carlos beat him at Wimbledon and he beat him in Cincinnati. Novak is going to be the best version of himself on Sunday, and if I want to try to beat him, I have to be the best version of myself.

Djokovic has not been vaccinated against Covid-19 and has not been able to enter the country for the past two years. However, vaccination requirements for non-US travelers were lifted earlier this year, allowing Djokovic to return.

The Serbian will have a chance to put his name on the court at the Australian Open in January 2024.

The last time Djokovic and Medvedev played in a Grand Slam final, it was the Russian who overcame the odds to win a then-record 21st Slam, ending Djokovic’s bid to win the first men’s calendar Grand Slam—the Australian Open and the French Open. Wimbledon and the US Open in the same year – from Rod Laver in 1969.

Since winning his first Grand Slam title at the 2021 US Open, Medvedev has come close to another victory, taking a two-set lead against Nadal in the 2022 Australian Open final, but eventually succumbing to defeat.

“It’s challenging when you play as a guy who’s won 23 Grand Slams and I only have one,” he said, according to the US Open. “When I beat him here (in the 2021 final), I was able to play better than myself and have to do it again. There’s no other way,” he said.

At 36, Djokovic became the oldest man to win a US Open singles title in the Open era, surpassing Ken Rosewall’s record in 1970.

“Every Grand Slam final could be the last,” he told reporters ahead of the final. “Ten years ago, I realized, ‘Hey, I’ve got a few more years ahead of me.’ [can] Play four Slams in the entire season. So I know this opportunity.”

This will be Djokovic’s 101st appearance at the US Open, though not since 2018, though he has already won three times in his career.

Djokovic avoided a scare in the third round when he dropped two sets against his compatriot Laszlo Djer and finished all other matches in just three sets. Pushed the competition aside.

It marks a remarkable end to a year in which he has reached the final of every Grand Slam tournament and after 2022, he will add two more titles to his collection. COVID-19.

For Medvedev, playing in the US Open final capped off an impressive hard-court season in which he reached five consecutive finals on the surface and won four titles.

His performance against Algaraz in the semifinals showcased his powerful serve, shotmaking and tenacity, all of which mark him as a tough opponent for Djokovic.

“You have to fight to the end, you have to win,” Medvedev said, according to ATP. “This is how you should be in the final of a Grand Slam.”