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Djokovic Wins 24th Grand Slam At US Open
6 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
The scoreline belies the fierce competitiveness of the match but Novak Djokovic needed one of his greatest Grand Slam final performances to subdue Daniil Medvedev 63 76 64.
Two years ago Medvedev defeated Djokovic 64 64 64 in the 2021 US Open final to deny the Serbian super champion the Grand Slam of winning all four major titles in the same year. But today Djokovic was better and also fresher and played another masterpiece match.
Of the 22 times Djokovic approached net, he made a volley winner on 20, including many on key, pressure points. It was possibly the 36 year old’s best day of volleying in his career – perhaps a portent of another potential Djokovic Grand Slam title rampage in 2024.
Medvedev was sensational also, going toe to toe with his rival on so many baseline rallies and forcing Novak to work extremely hard. Djokovic had to save a set point in the second set with a reflex volley winner off a Medvedev backhand crosscourt blast. It was Djokovic who showed signs of fatigue and discomfort late in the second set, which he won in a tiebreaker from a mini break down.
Djokovic said it was maybe the “most physically grueling set of my career.”
It’s almost magical how Djokovic can repeatedly summon his best tennis when he needs it most, against players playing the best matches of their lives. Medvedev was so good today, mesmerizingly consistent and lethal from the baseline on both wings. I think he would have won the title today, against any other US Open champion in history aside from the one he had to play today.
For Djokovic, it is his 24th Grand Slam title, he’s now two ahead of Rafael Nadal and tied with Margaret Court for total singles Grand Slam titles. Djokovic now is the first man to win three Grand Slam singles titles in four different years – 2023, 2021, 2015, 2011.
Also Novak is the oldest US Open men’s singles champion in the Open Era. He is 12-3 in Grand Slam finals in his 30s, improving a 12-9 mark his 20s. And the end of the Djokovic prime may still extend to 2024 and perhaps beyond.
“I still play for these moments… To make the history of this sport is something truly remarkable and special,” Djokovic said during the trophy ceremony. “I never imagined that I would be here talking about 24 Slams. I never thought that would be the reality, but the last couple of years I felt I have a chance, I have a shot at history—and why not grab it if it’s presented.”
The final point of the match ended on a Medvedev forehand into the net. Djokovic had a matter of fact reaction, with a smile of satisfaction but also a demeanor of some relief that the conclusion happened on the first match point. After the handshakes, Djokovic fell to the court closed up like a turtle and he appeared to be sobbing. After a few moments, he arose and expressed his joy, also crossing his heart apparently thanking God for giving him the power to conquer New York again after the heartbreaks of the last three years.
Djokovic, now 10-5 vs. Medvedev, received the $3m check from Chase and the trophy cup from former rival Andy Roddick.
Daniil Medvedev · Novak Djokovic · US Open
Douglas Day · September 11, 2023 at 9:04 am
Vindication against the vacc. fearmongers is the elephant in the room. Novak needed to celebrate not with screams of fossil fuel and feet glued. He should spray paint huge dollar signs over the Moderna ad courtside. ATP free-speech fantasy!
Sam · September 11, 2023 at 8:48 pm
Scoop, do you think Alcaraz would’ve presented a bigger challenge in the final than Medvedev?
Glad to see Djokovic stick it to the MODERNA U.S. Open. 😝
Pretty amazing that he was doing serve and volley in this match! 😯 And that second set—is that the longest one he’s ever played?
Although it was disappointing that he lost at Wimbledon, I think it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Had he won that, he probably wouldn’t have won the U.S. Open, which he needed more anyway.
I just have one final wish for him—to win Wimbledon one more time. Everything else is just icing on the cake. 🎂
Scoop Malinowski · September 12, 2023 at 8:36 am
Sam, No, Medvedev was better than Carlos, Carlos has declined since Wimbledon, my speculation is he’s having difficulty having to live up to the image the establishment has portrayed for him as already being greater than Fed, Rafa and Novak. Carlos has an impossible image and expectations to have to live up to now. I believe he’s struggling with that. Medvedev presented the more difficult challenge in the final. I’d like to see Novak finish with an even number of Grand Slams for symmetry, 26 28 or 30 would be nice.
Sam · September 14, 2023 at 8:20 am
Scoop, it’s even more impressive then that Djokovic beat the harder opponent in the final. You’re probably right about Alcaraz struggling with all the expectations.
I think Djokovic has at least 2 Slam victories left (probably next year’s Australian and Wimbledon), so that would make an even number. 😏
Scoop Malinowski · September 14, 2023 at 12:32 pm
24 26 all looks good but 2-3 have been stolen from him, that fact must never be forgotten.
Sam · September 18, 2023 at 5:23 am
2-3 have been stolen from him, that fact must never be forgotten.
Right—that’s why the whole “Slam count” thing is asterisked. You really have to look at the big picture, where Djokovic comes out ahead anyway.