Novak Djokovic fulfilled his tennis dream on Sunday with a 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3 defeat of Daniil Medvedev which took the Serb to a record 24 Grand Slam singles titles.
The world No. 2 pulled level with historical leader Margaret Court, who set the record back in the day half a century ago in an entirely different tennis world.
Djokovic took revenge against Medvedev after losing to his rival here in the 2021 final – also in straight sets. That defeat prevented the 36-year-old from winning a calendar-year Grand Slam.
The Serb now owns four trophies from Flushing Meadows after playing in 10 finals here.
Djokovic fell to the court, kneeling face down and letting loose with tears of joy after winning when Medvedev sent a return into the net on match point..
Once he regained composure – and tossed his racquet to a female fan in the crowd – he was escorted by five security men into the stands, where he hugged friends and family in the most emotional moment of his career.
The Djokovic team then broke out specially designed white jackets with a large “24” emblazoned on the right breast. Djokovic also put on a t-shirt honours his late friend Kobe Bryant, who wore the number 24 during his basketball career.
“This means the world to me, I’m living my childhood dream,” the winner said.
“I always wanted to compete on the highest level on the court. Tennis has given me and my family so much, coming from a difficult background and adversity.
“This is a trophy for my team and my family as much as it is for me.
“To make history is remarkable and special in every meaning of the word.
“I never thought I’d be talking of 24 Grand Slam titles, I never thought this would be reality.”
He added: “Over the last several years I knew I had a shot at history – why not grab it when it is presented?”
Djokovic claimed his fourth US Open crown in his10th final here.
This title match was the first in New York between former champs since 2018 when Djokovic beat del Juan Martin del Potro, the 2009 winner.
.Medvedev took defeat well, even if it spoiled his wedding anniversary with his wife sitting in his player box throughout the match.
The runner-up was playing his third final here in the last five years and won the 2021 title.
“What are you still doing here,” he joked to veteran Djokovic. “This was our third (Grand Slam) final but maybe not out last.
“But when will you be slowing down a bit?
“I’ve not had a bad career and I have 25 titles – but you have 24 Grand Slams – wow.”
Medvedev called his defeat of Djokovic here two years ago “the pinnacle of my career.
“Novak always pushed me to be better.I wanted to do better and the crowd has been pushing me all the time.
.”I hope to have one more time to hold this trophy again.”
Djokoivic announced his intentions as he broke Medvedev in the second game of the match, with the third seed caught on the back foot as he tried to get started.
The Serb second seed missed two set point chances as his opponent held for 3-5. But Djokovic didn’t have long to wait as he claimed the set in 48 minutes as Medvedev landed a backhand long.
In the seventh game of the second set, Djokovic tumbled over in apparent fatigue after losing a 31-shot rally, though the act appeared to be more for dramatics than actual exhaustion.
But the Serb kept his composure and captured the set after another one and three-quarter hours as the running total for two sets played hit more than two and a half hours.
Djokovic kept up his intensity in the third set as the finishing line drew closer in front of 24,000.
He applied what he had hoped would be finishing touches as he broke for 3-1 in the third set, only to lose it a game later as Medvedev struck back.
But a game later, Djokovic again took the lead as Medvedev sent a return into the net to trail 4-2.
