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Novak Djokovic Wins US Open, Ties Margaret Court’s Grand Slam Record
On Sunday, Novak Djokovic won the US Open. In the men’s championship, he defeated Daniil Medvedev in 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 sets. His total of grand slam singles titles increased to 24 with this victory.
The No. 2 player in the world has cemented his place among the all-time greats of tennis. With his victory on Sunday, he matched Margaret Court’s record for the most grand slam championships ever.
The Serbian avenged his defeat against No. 3 seed Medvedev at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York in a repeat of the US Open final from 2021. He finished his successful trip back to America.
“It obviously means the world to me,” Djokovic stated following the game. “I’m really living my childhood dream to compete at the highest level in the sport that has given me and my family so much.”
Novak Djokovic Defeats Medvedev to Win Historic 2023 US Open Championship
Novak Djokovic performed in front of a popular audience. In the opening set, he was dominating as usual, never facing a break point and hitting 12 wins in nine games. He had a record of 72 wins and 1 defeat in the US Open before tonight when he won the first set. His only defeat came in the 2016 final to Stan Wawrinka.
Novak Djokovic and Medvedev traded points in a nail-biting back-and-forth in the second set. After an hour and 45 minutes, Novak Djokovic won the tiebreak 7-5.
He strolled to win with momentum on his side and only one set away from his fourth US Open crown. He only needed one championship point to win the historic championship.
Djokovic’s Children Inspire Him to Victory
The 36-year-old became the oldest player to win the US Open singles championship during the Open era when he did so. For the fourth time, after doing so in 2011, 2015, and 2021, he also made history by being the first man to win three grand slam titles in a single season.
In terms of the most men’s singles championships ever, Djokovic extended his lead over Rafael Nadal of Spain (22 titles) and Roger Federer of Switzerland (20 titles).
“To make history of this sport is truly remarkable and special in every possible and every possible meaning of the word special,” Djokovic said.
Novak Djokovic sat in the front row during the game with his 6-year-old daughter. He said during a news conference after the match that she would smile at him when he needed her energy most.
He emphasized the importance of his daughter, as well as his 9-year-old son, experiencing their father’s victory when they were old enough to understand it.
As for what keeps him going, Djokovic stated: “I don’t want to leave the sport if I’m still playing at the top.”
Djokovic Honors Kobe Bryant with Historic Grand Slam Title
After winning the match, Djokovic temporarily fell to his knees as it overtook him with emotion. He then made his way to his family, who were cheering from the stands.
Djokovic then left the court and came back wearing a blue shirt. The words “Mamba Forever” and Bryant’s number were printed on the front of the shirt, which also included a picture of him and the late NBA legend Kobe Bryant. Bryant wore the number 24 at the end of his professional basketball career.
“I thought it could be a nice symbolic thing to acknowledge him,” said Djokovic, who considered Bryant his closest friend.
“We chatted a lot about the winner’s mentality when I was struggling with the injury and trying to make my comeback, work my way back to the top of the game,” Djokovic said of his relationship with Bryant. “He was one of the people that I rely on the most. He was always there for any kind of counsel, advice, any kind of support in the most friendly way.”
Djokovic’s Grand Slam Quest in 2023
This year, Novak Djokovic created history in each of the four major slams. At the Australian Open, he equaled Rafael Nadal’s 22 grand slam championships and set a new men’s record with 23 grand slam titles, but lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final.
Daniil Medvedev, the third seed, stood in Djokovic’s path on Sunday. Medvedev stunned everyone by overcoming Alcaraz in the semifinals, and he had previously defeated Djokovic in a US Open final, winning in straight sets.
Medvedev anticipated Djokovic to perform far better than he did that day, despite the fact that Medvedev’s game is well-suited to quick hard courts.
“Against Novak, it’s the same. He is always better than the previous time he played,” Medvedev had said, according to the ATP Tour. “For example, I beat him in the US Open final, he beat me in Bercy in a great match. Carlos beat him at Wimbledon, he beat him in Cincinnati. Novak is going to be his best version on Sunday, and I have to be the best-ever version of myself if I want to try to beat him.”
Novak Djokovic was not vaccinated against Covid-19 and was barred from entering the nation for two years. However, they relaxed vaccination regulations for non-US visitors earlier this year, allowing Djokovic to return.
In January 2024, he will pass the court and become the Australian Open’s all-time cunningest player.
Medvedev Close to Completing First Grand Slam
Medvedev beat the odds and ended Djokovic’s bid for a then-record 21st Grand Slam trophy in their last encounter in a Grand Slam final.
Djokovic was attempting to complete the first men’s calendar Grand Slam since Rod Laver accomplished it in 1969 by winning the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open all in the same year.
Medvedev has come close to completing his first Grand Slam since winning the US Open in 2021. In the 2022 Australian Open final versus Rafael Nadal, he led by two sets to one.
“The challenge is that you play a guy who won 23 grand slams and I have only one,” according to the US Open, he remarked. “When I beat him here (in the 2021 final), I managed to play better than myself, and I need to do it again. There is no other way.”
Novak Djokovic, 36, might become the oldest player to win the US Open singles title in the Open Era, breaking Ken Rosewall’s record set in 1970.
“Every Grand Slam final could be the last one,” He informed reporters prior of the championship game. “Ten years ago, I felt like, ‘Hey, I still have quite a few years ahead of me.’ I don’t know how many I have ahead of me now, or how many years where I can play four Slams in the whole season. So I am aware of the occasion.”
It will be Djokovic’s 101st match at the US Open, a competition he has won three times in his career but not since 2018.
Medvedev’s Grand Slam journey with fighting spirit
In their last Grand Slam final, Medvedev upset the odds and thwarted Djokovic’s attempt to win his 21st Grand Slam and achieve the first men’s calendar Grand Slam since Rod Laver in 1969. Medvedev won the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open in the same year.
Since winning his first Grand Slam at the 2021 US Open, Medvedev came close to winning another. He took a two-set lead in the 2022 Australian Open final against Nadal but eventually lost the match.
“You want to fight ‘til the end, you want to win,” according to the ATP, Medvedev stated. “And that’s how you should be in the final of a grand slam.”
My name is Krishanu Das the founder of the Sports Dribble.
I am Accountant by profession but a Sports Blogger by passion.
I am passionate about sharing my all knowledge and experiences of sports, with my readers and every sports enthusiast.
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