Novak Djokovic he defeated Daniil Medvedev in straight sets to win his fourth US Open and a record 24 Grand Slam singles titles, avenging his defeat against the Russian in the final two years ago. The 36-year-old Djokovic won 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 to become the oldest men’s champion in the history of the US Open in New York, equaling Margaret Court’s record for most Grand Slam wins .
Djokovic he is the first tennis player to win three Grand Slam events in the same season four times, foreshadowing his imminent return to world number one. Medvedev, in the 2021 final, defeated Djokovic in straight sets to prevent the Serbian from becoming the first to win all four Grand Slam tournaments in the same year, something that had not happened since Rod Laver in 1969.
Djokovic admitted he felt overwhelmed on that occasion, but today he quickly took control of the match. Overcoming the Russian 6-3 7-6 6-3, amidst the shouts of the public, he wore a shirt with the 24 dedicated to Kobe Bryant, with the words ‘Mamba forever’. «Kobe was a great friend of mine as well as an example of a winning mentality – explained Djokovic -. He helped me in times of difficulty. With his passing I lost a point of reference. This is why I promised myself that if I reached this goal I would celebrate it like this.” Now the absolute record for the Serbian is one step away and in Australia, where he has already won 10 times, the world number 1 will be able to try to become the greatest everwith 25 Grand Slam titles.
Speaking after the match, Medvedev revealed how the Serbian had treated him earlier in his career. «When we played for the first time I was probably 500/o in the world. And he was very kind to me,” Medvedev said. «Nothing special, but he treated me like a normal person. And he still does it. Nothing has changed: 24, 30, 12 Slams? Nothing changes. And I think you could say that’s something great for a person.”
«Making history in this sport is something truly remarkable and special» declared Nole Djokovic. «I wouldn’t have imagined – he added – that I would be here talking about 24 Slams. I never thought it would become a reality, but in the last couple of years I thought there was a possibility, I thought I had an opportunity so if it presented itself, why not take it?”