Novak Djokovic achieved his 24th Grand Slam title with a victory over Daniil Medvedev, defeating him 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-3 at the US Open.
This achievement puts him on par with Margaret Court’s record. It was his fourth win in 10 finals at Flushing Meadows and capped off another remarkable season following his wins at the Australian Open and Roland Garros. Djokovic is on the verge of reclaiming the world’s top ranking.
While Djokovic came close to completing a calendar Grand Slam with an appearance in the Wimbledon final, where he was defeated by Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set match, he cherished this victory as his 24th Grand Slam title. He expressed how much it meant to him, describing it as fulfilling a childhood dream. His lifelong aspiration has been to become the best player globally, and he intends to continue focusing on Grand Slam events.
Novak hits 2️⃣4️⃣
How it sounded on US Open radio 🎙 pic.twitter.com/BPwpFlp0fy
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 11, 2023
At 36 years old, Djokovic became the oldest male winner of the US Open in the Open Era, yet his hunger for Grand Slam victories remains undiminished. He playfully joked about retiring “in about 23, 24 years,” suggesting his intention to keep competing at the highest level for the foreseeable future.
Following his historic win, Djokovic celebrated by tossing his racket in the air, dropping to his knees, and sharing a heartfelt moment with his young daughter. He then donned a T-shirt with ‘Mamba Forever’ on the front and the number 24 on the back, paying tribute to the late Kobe Bryant, a close friend who wore the number during his legendary basketball career.
Despite the absence of the usual raucous New York crowd, Djokovic and Medvedev engaged in a fiercely contested match. Djokovic broke Medvedev early in the first set, securing a 3-0 lead, which proved decisive. The second set witnessed lengthy, grueling rallies, with Medvedev pushing Djokovic into extended battles. However, Djokovic ultimately claimed the tie-break 7-5, taking a 2-0 lead in sets. In the third set, Djokovic’s killer instinct prevailed as he broke Medvedev to go up 3-1 and secured the victory.
Djokovic’s achievement in equaling Margaret Court’s record is a testament to his enduring dominance in the world of tennis.