US Open
“Born winner”: Djokovic with a record and a desire for more
Novak Djokovic kisses the US Open trophy. photo
© Manu Fernandez/AP/dpa
Novak Djokovic celebrates his 24th triumph at a Grand Slam tournament and writes new tennis history. There is no end in sight. He becomes emotional at the thought of a friend who has died.
“Occasionally I ask myself: Why do I need all this after everything I have achieved? How long do I want to continue?” reported the 36-year-old Serb after winning the final in New York. “But as long as I’m still playing at this high level and winning the biggest tournaments in this sport, I don’t want to get rid of or leave this sport when I’m still at the top.”
With the impressive 6: 3, 7: 6 (7: 5), 6: 3 and the successful final rematch against Daniil Medvedev, nine years his junior, Djokovic proved why he is unrivaled in his sport. Two years ago, the Russian denied him the longed-for win of all four Grand Slam titles in one season at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. In 2022 he was absent from the US Open because he was not allowed to enter the country due to a missing corona vaccination. Djokovic has now crowned himself the oldest US Open winner in the professional era and, after winning Grand Slam titles, caught up with Margaret Court from Australia, who holds the record for women.
Daughter gives strength
“I could never have imagined that I would stand here and talk about 24 slams. I never thought that this could become a reality,” said Djokovic, overwhelmed, in his winning interview. Shortly after the converted match point after a highly intensive 3:17 hours of play, he hugged his daughter. In the white dress, Tara followed the game directly opposite the players’ bench – and gave her father strength with constant eye contact.
“Every single time I needed it, I got the innocent energy of a child from her,” Djokovic reported. “When I had stressful moments and needed a little push and strength, she smiled at me.” Tara’s brother Stefan followed the victory alongside mother Jelena diagonally behind the pitch. “When I became a father, one of my wishes was that I win a Slam in front of them and they realize what’s happening, that they’re old enough to understand it,” Djokovic said.
According to his wishes, there should still be many possibilities for this. His coach Goran Ivanisevic even expects Djokovic to be there in five years. “He’s planning to play in the Olympics in Los Angeles,” the Croatian said with a laugh. “When is that, 2028? You know what’s going on in his head. It’s 24 hours about achieving something.”
Number one again
Djokovic is now replacing Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz as number one in the world rankings and is entering his 390th week at the top. “He’s a genius, he’s unique,” said former Wimbledon winner Ivanisevic, describing his protégé and assessing his 24th Grand Slam title: “This is one of the greatest achievements in the history of sport and we’re not just talking about tennis here. He is a born winner.”
Djokovic shared this self-image with the NBA icon Bryant. After the triumph, the Serb put on a colorful shirt with a shared photo, 24 as Bryant’s former shirt number and the words “Mamba Forever” based on his nickname.
“Kobe was a close friend,” said Djokovic about the relationship. The death of Bryant and his daughter Gianna in a helicopter crash in 2020 affected him deeply. “We talked a lot about winning mentality when I had injury problems. He was one of the people I relied on the most.” Bryant’s wife Vanessa congratulated Djokovic via Instagram.
Djokovic surprised
“What are you still doing here?” the 27-year-old Medvedev asked jokingly, alluding to Djokovic’s age, as he congratulated him on the court. The Serb repeatedly surprised his opponent with immediate attacks on the net after his own serve and often retained the upper hand even in the numerous long rallies. When Djokovic appeared physically weak in the second set, which lasted 104 minutes, he once again found the extra gear that makes him so feared and unique.
Medvedev, third in the world rankings, has to wait for his second triumph at a Grand Slam tournament. In 2021 he beat Djokovic in three sets in the US Open final. “This is our third Grand Slam final, probably not our last,” said Medvedev. “I don’t know when you plan on slowing down. 24 – I feel like I don’t have a bad career and I have 20 titles and you have 24 Grand Slams.”