Novak Djokovic won the US Open in New York and wrote the next chapter in sports history with his 24th Grand Slam title. With the 6:3, 7:6 (7:5), 6:3 against Daniil Medvedev (Russia), the Serb caught up with the Australian Margaret Court, who had previously held the record for triumphs at the four largest tennis tournaments in the world.
For the 36-year-old Djokovic it was the fourth triumph in Flushing Meadows, in 3:17 hours he took revenge for the bitter final defeat in 2021. At that time, Medvedev (27) prevented Djokovic’s calendar Grand Slam with his first and to date only major success . Like back then, Djokovic ended the Grand Slam year with three triumphs and one final defeat (Wimbledon).
Even before the final it was clear that Djokovic would replace the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz at the top of the world rankings. He also increased his prize money account by three million dollars to more than 175 million dollars – another record. Medvedev suffered his third defeat in his fourth Grand Slam final and has to settle for $1.5 million.
From the first rally, Djokovic left no doubt about his irrepressible will to win. He was, above all, tactically and mentally superior to Medvedev, who was nine years younger and had dethroned defending champions Alcaraz in the semifinals. At 36, Djokovic deservedly became the oldest US Open champion in professional tennis.
The almost 25,000 tennis fans in the gigantic Arthur Ashe Stadium, including stars like Leonardo DiCaprio, Nicole Kidman and Justin Timberlake, were expecting a thriller. After all, Medvedev had disenchanted Alcaraz and reminded the US audience of his three-set win in 2021.
This time, however, Djokovic found solutions, even if Medvedev looked fresher and won the long rallies. As a commentator on sportdeutschland.tv, Boris Becker was impressed by Djokovic’s serve-and-volley qualities and worried about the fitness of his former protégé. “Today he’s really tired, the network attacks speak volumes,” said Becker.
Handshake after the match: Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev after the game that lasted more than three hours.
(Photo: MIKE SEGAR/REUTERS)
Djokovic actually staggered, fended off a set ball and saved himself in the tie-break – one of his many special disciplines. After two and a half hours, Djokovic was 2-0 sets ahead and Medvedev called the physiotherapist. The fight under the closed roof also left its mark on the younger challenger. Djokovic didn’t let himself be taken away from the lead – and the new record.
Margaret Court won her last Grand Slam title in 1973. 50 years later, Djokovic achieved the record that Steffi Graf (22) and Serena Williams (23), among others, had failed to achieve. In the men’s category, Djokovic is now two titles ahead of his currently injured long-term rival Rafael Nadal and has won four more titles than the retired Roger Federer.