cnn
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Novak Djokovic won the US Open on Sunday, defeating Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 in the men's final to extend his record of Grand Slam singles titles to 24.
The world No. 2 further established himself as one of the greatest tennis players of all time: with Sunday's victory, he equals Margaret Court's record for most Grand Slam titles of all time.
In a rematch of the 2021 US Open final, the Serbian avenged his loss to third seed Medvedev at New York's Arthur Ashe Stadium to complete his triumphant return to the United States.
“It obviously means a lot to me,” Djokovic said after the match. “I am truly living my childhood dream of competing at the highest level in the sport that has given me and my family so much.”
Playing in front of a who's who crowd, Djokovic was in his usual dominant form in the first set, never facing a break point, as he reeled off 12 winners in nine games. Coming into Sunday's final, Djokovic was 72-1 all-time at the US Open when he won the first set, with his only loss coming to Stan Wawrinka in the 2016 final.
The second set proved to be more competitive, as Djokovic and Medvedev traded games in an exciting back-and-forth affair, culminating in the Serbian winning the tiebreak 7-5 after one hour and 45 minutes.
From there, with momentum in his favor and a fourth US Open title one set away, Djokovic cruised to victory, needing just one championship point to seal the historic title.
With the victory, the 36-year-old becomes the oldest man to win the US Open singles title in the Open era and the first man to win three Grand Slam titles in a season for the fourth time (he had previously made in 2011, 2015 and 2021.
Djokovic also extends his lead over Spain's Rafael Nadal (22) and Switzerland's Roger Federer (20) for most men's singles titles of all time.
“Making history in this sport is truly extraordinary and special in every possible sense of the word special,” Djokovic said.
Sitting in the front row during the match was Djokovic's six-year-old daughter, he said during a press conference after the match, and he shared with reporters that she smiled at him when he needed her energy most.
It was important to him that his daughter, as well as his nine-year-old son, could experience their father's victory when they were old enough to understand the victory, he said.
And as for what keeps him going, Djokovic said: “I don't want to leave the sport if I'm still playing at the top.”
Following his victory, an emotional Djokovic momentarily dropped to his knees before walking towards his family in the stands to celebrate.
When he returned to the court, Djokovic honored the late NBA superstar Kobe Bryant by donning a blue jersey with a photo of him and the Lakers legend with the words “Mamba Forever” emblazoned on the front and the number on the back. back. Bryant wore number 24 in the second half of his professional basketball career.
“I thought it might be a nice symbolic act to recognize him,” said Djokovic, who considered Bryant a close friend.
“We talked a lot about the winner's mentality when I was struggling with the injury and trying to come back, work to get back to the top of the game,” Djokovic said of his relationship with Bryant.
“He was one of the people I trust the most. She was always there for any kind of advice, any kind of support in the friendliest way.”
In every Grand Slam this year, Djokovic had the opportunity to make history.
He tied Rafael Nadal's 22 Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open, walked away with a men's record 23 Grand Slam titles at the French Open and was defeated by Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final.
The Serbian will have the opportunity to take the court and etch his name as the winningest player of all time at the Australian Open in January 2024.
