Djokovic sings famous Beastie Boys song to crowd after US Open victory
Novak Djokovic battled past Daniil Medvedev 6-3 7-6(5) 6-3 and into the tennis history books on Sunday, winning the U.S. Open to equal Margaret Court’s record haul of 24 Grand Slams.
The victory, his fourth in 10 Flushing Meadows finals, capped another remarkable Grand Slam campaign for Djokovic with wins at the Australian, French and U.S. Opens and a return to the top of the world rankings when they are updated on Monday. The 36-year-old Serb becomes the oldest U.S. Open men’s winner in the Open Era and the first to win three Grand Slam events in a season for the fourth time. The win was also measure of revenge for Djokovic.
The second seed walked out on to a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday and stared across the net at Medvedev the man once again standing between him and history just as he had two years ago. The last time the two clashed at the U.S. Open was in the 2021 final, when the Russian captured his only major and denied the Serb a rare calendar Grand Slam. While Djokovic and Medvedev are intriguing figures, neither has been fully embraced by the New York crowds.
Certainly there was little of the electricity that crackled through Arthur Ashe during the women’s final on Saturday, with no clear support for either player from an attentive but subdued audience. As expected in a contest featuring the sport’s two premier hardcourt players, almost every point was contested with long rallies as both men pounded away at each other from the baseline. Djokovic came out playing with purpose and applied pressure right away breaking the third seed at the first opportunity on way to a 3-0 lead.
That would be the only break Djokovic would need against a surprisingly flat Medvedev who could not manufacture a single break chance in the first set. During a marathon one hour and 44 minute, lung-bursting second set Medvedev would find life forcing a tiring Djokovic into long grinding point, after grinding point. But the tireless Russian’s hard work would pay no dividends unable to convert any of his few break chances including one at 6-5 that would have given him the set.
Medvedev charged in front 3-1 of the tie-break but again could not land the knockout blow as Djokovic came off the ropes to take it 7-5 and a 2-0 lead. If there is one thing Djokovic possesses it is a killer instinct and the Serb wasted no time striking breaking Medvedev to go up 3-1 in the third. A defiant Medvedev answered with his first and only break of the match but it was not enough with Djokovic hitting right back with another break then holding serve the rest of way to clinch the title.
Relive all the action from the US Open men’s final and reaction as Novak Djokovic defeats Daniil Medvedev.
Novak Djokovic explains Kobe Bryant tribute
“I thought about doing this t-shirt a few days ago,” Djokovic 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.”
Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, reveals a t-shirt honoring the number 24 and Kobe Bryant after defeating Daniil Medvedev
(AP)
Novak Djokovic celebrates while wearing a shirt with an image of Kobe Bryant
(REUTERS)
Jack Rathborn11 September 2023 01:02
Novak Djokovic reacts to winnng record-equalling 24th grand slam title
“If I knew it was your anniversary, maybe I choose a different result,” adds Djokovic.
Daniil has been kind to me, since you were a junior, 14-15 years old. It’s nice to see the evolution.
“There’s more to achieve. You will win more slams, no doubt.
“He has the most authentic personality, you’re the best. Never change.”
Jack Rathborn11 September 2023 01:01
Novak Djokovic reacts to winnng record-equalling 24th grand slam title
“I don’t know where to start, it means the world to me [to win 24 titles], I’m living my childhood dream,” Djokovic says.
“To compete at the highest level in the sport that gave me so much after so much adversity, growing up in the 90s, a couple of wars. It was very expensive, not affordable.
“It was quite a choice, incredible resilience, belief, all these years. My wife, my kids, my team, this is your trophy as much as mine. I love you.
“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.
“New goals… 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?”
Jack Rathborn11 September 2023 00:57
Daniil Medvedev reacts to US Open final defeat to Novak Djokovic
“Congrats to you and your team, I feel like I had not a bad career, I have 24 titles and you have 24 slams,” Medvedev says.
“I was here two years ago when I won, what a great anniversary gift for my wife. It’s funny, because dates usually change, but today is the anniversary, I was like, ‘come on, one more time’.
“From one side, I can say, I beat Novak in a slam final, the pinnacle of my career, I played five finals against them and I won one.
“I said in Australia, but I say it again, first we met when I was 500th in the world. He was kind to me, nothing special, but a normal person.
“He still does, nothing changed. Something great about a person you can say.”
Jack Rathborn11 September 2023 00:53
US Open final: Djokovic defeats (6-3, 7-6, 6-3) Medvedev – Game, Set, Match and Championship!
Djokovic wears a new Lacoste jacket with ‘24’ on the chest.
He also displays a t-shirt with ‘Mamba Forever’ in tribute to Kobe Bryant and the legendary basketball player’s No 24 on the back.
Jack Rathborn11 September 2023 00:45
US Open final: Djokovic defeats (6-3, 7-6, 6-3) Medvedev – Game, Set, Match and Championship!
The statistics of the match show the key was largely at the net.
Djokovic won 37/44 to Medvedev’s 16/22.
Jack Rathborn11 September 2023 00:44
US Open final: Djokovic defeats (6-3, 7-6, 6-3) Medvedev – Game, Set, Match and Championship!
Djokovic slowing things down now, taking a few more steps between points.
Now two points away, 30-15. But another double fault slows his sprint to the title, 30-30.
Another long rally, but Medvedev goes long with the backhand down the line… It’s championship point!
Djokovic will move to his second serve, but it doesn’t matter as Medvedev plants it into the net, a friendly embrace at the net.
24. Grand. Slam. Titles. Amazing.
Jack Rathborn11 September 2023 00:34
US Open final: Djokovic *5-3 Medvedev (6-3, 7-6)
Now then, what does Medvedev have left? Djokovic jumping up with the backhand return.
Then a smash from the baseline, a drop shot that has Medvedev scrambling and the Russian collides with the net. 0-15.
Medvedev with a crushing first serve, some venom in that one, 15-30.
Magic! Both men at their limits, another incredible rally. Djokovic is left in the splits and on his front after Medvedev’s magnificent get. He then puts one away at the net to move to game point. He deserves this game, 6-2 would be a harsh conclusion.
And he moves to 3-5 with a booming serve. Djokovic to serve for the championship.
(Getty Images)
Jack Rathborn11 September 2023 00:28
US Open final: Djokovic 5-2* Medvedev (6-3, 7-6)
Ruthless from Djokovic here.
A second serve there at 40-0, but it matters little, Medvedev still going for winners, but he can’t find his range. 5-2 and he’s now one game away.
(Getty Images)
Jack Rathborn11 September 2023 00:27
US Open final: Djokovic *4-2 Medvedev (6-3, 7-6)
Tim Henman is raving about Djokovic’s ability to shift direction in the rally.
That backhand winner zips past the Russian, who can barely turn back to look at what he’s contending with here.
It’s a break back after the break back. 4-2.
Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, reacts during a break in play against Daniil Medvedev
(AP)
Jack Rathborn11 September 2023 00:23
