US Open final 2023 LIVE: Novak Djokovic v Daniil Medvedev result and reaction after record 24th grand slam
The 36-year-old Djokovic won his 24th major title against Medvedev to tie the all-time record with Margaret Court
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Novak Djokovic battled past Daniil Medvedev 6-3 7-6(5) 6-3 and into the tennis history books on Sunday, winning the U.S. Open to equal Margaret Court’s record haul of 24 Grand Slams.
The victory, his fourth in 10 Flushing Meadows finals, capped another remarkable Grand Slam campaign for Djokovic with wins at the Australian, French and U.S. Opens and a return to the top of the world rankings when they are updated on Monday. The 36-year-old Serb becomes the oldest U.S. Open men’s winner in the Open Era and the first to win three Grand Slam events in a season for the fourth time. The win was also measure of revenge for Djokovic.
The second seed walked out on to a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday and stared across the net at Medvedev the man once again standing between him and history just as he had two years ago. The last time the two clashed at the U.S. Open was in the 2021 final, when the Russian captured his only major and denied the Serb a rare calendar Grand Slam. While Djokovic and Medvedev are intriguing figures, neither has been fully embraced by the New York crowds.
Certainly there was little of the electricity that crackled through Arthur Ashe during the women’s final on Saturday, with no clear support for either player from an attentive but subdued audience. As expected in a contest featuring the sport’s two premier hardcourt players, almost every point was contested with long rallies as both men pounded away at each other from the baseline. Djokovic came out playing with purpose and applied pressure right away breaking the third seed at the first opportunity on way to a 3-0 lead.
That would be the only break Djokovic would need against a surprisingly flat Medvedev who could not manufacture a single break chance in the first set. During a marathon one hour and 44 minute, lung-bursting second set Medvedev would find life forcing a tiring Djokovic into long grinding point, after grinding point. But the tireless Russian’s hard work would pay no dividends unable to convert any of his few break chances including one at 6-5 that would have given him the set.
Medvedev charged in front 3-1 of the tie-break but again could not land the knockout blow as Djokovic came off the ropes to take it 7-5 and a 2-0 lead. If there is one thing Djokovic possesses it is a killer instinct and the Serb wasted no time striking breaking Medvedev to go up 3-1 in the third. A defiant Medvedev answered with his first and only break of the match but it was not enough with Djokovic hitting right back with another break then holding serve the rest of way to clinch the title.
Relive all the action from the US Open men’s final and reaction as Novak Djokovic defeats Daniil Medvedev.
Medvedev regrets losing mammoth second set
A Medvedev double-fault and a blistering backhand winner down the line gave Djokovic the early break point which he converted to love to subsequently take the first set in a relatively speedy 48 minutes. But Medvedev, returning from about a quarter-of-a-mile behind the baseline, made Djokovic toil in the second set and it began to show with the favourite showing signs of fatigue.
After an hour and three quarters he produced his first break point of the match but Djokovic, with an obvious change of game plan in a bid to shorten the points, expertly snuffed it out with a big serve and an immaculate volley.
Medvedev had set point on the Djokovic serve but another volley at the net dealt with that, and when tie-break slipped away from the 27-year-old, the match soon followed as Djokovic moved level with Margaret Court’s record of major titles.
“The second set was the best set I played and I didn’t win it,” said Russian third seed Medvedev. “So that’s why it’s normal that the match went that way, because first and third he was kind of better. The second, if I would win it, maybe it could have been a different game.
“Yeah, that’s how life is and how tennis is. So I’m going to try to be better next time.”
US Open No 4 and 24 titles: Novak Djokovic’s incredible grand slam record
A closer look at Novak Djokovic’s grand slam record:
US Open No 4 and 24 titles: Novak Djokovic’s incredible grand slam record
Djokovic has won seven of the last 10 major tournaments he has played
Djokovic wins slam No 24 – and he’s not done yet
Djokovic has no intention of passing the torch to the next generation just yet, the 36-year-old Serb proving age is just a number by becoming the oldest man in the Open Era to hoist the US Open trophy.
With Roger Federer retired and the oft-injured Rafa Nadal ready to call it quits after next season, the days of the ‘Big Three’ are long gone but Djokovic - the final member of that triumvirate - reminded fans in New York that he is far from finished.
His 6-3 7-6(5) 6-3 victory over Russian Daniil Medvedev brought him not only a fourth Flushing Meadows title but a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam crown, and Djokovic wants more.
“Occasionally asking myself, why do I need this still at this stage after all I have done, you know? How long do I want to keep going? I do have these questions in my head, of course,” said Djokovic.
“Knowing that I play at such a high level still and I win the biggest tournaments in this sport, yeah, I don’t want to get rid of this sport or I don’t want to leave this sport if I’m still at the top.”
Djokovic lucky to have the greatest rivals, says coach Ivanisevic
Novak Djokovic has been fortunate to have opponents like Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal to push him during his career, his coach Goran Ivanisevic said on Sunday after the 36-year-old claimed the US Open title for a 24th grand slam crown.
The ‘Big Three’ dominated men’s tennis over the last two decades with a collective 66 Grand Slam titles between them but Djokovic is now clear of the retired Federer (20) and Nadal (22), who is expected to call time on his career next year.
“He’s a winner,” former Wimbledon champion Ivanisevic told reporters. “He’s the guy who is motivating himself.
“He had luck to have guys like Nadal and Federer, they came before him, so they pushed each other.
“When you tell him he can’t do something, it’s even worse. Then he’s going to show you that he can do it. No excuses. He always tries to find a way to win, to fight, even when he’s not feeling well, injured, not injured.”
Ivanisevic, who has been coaching Djokovic since 2019, said he considered the Serb’s US Open triumph - which put him level with Margaret Court with the most major singles titles - as “the biggest achievement in sporting history”.
Novak Djokovic celebrates US Open title and 24th grand slam
Magnificent Novak Djokovic wins US Open and record-equalling 24th grand slam title
Novak Djokovic secured his 24th grand slam title and became the oldest US Open champion in the Open era after a gruelling victory over Daniil Medvedev.
The 36-year-old Serbian, who is back up to world number one, beat third seed Medvedev 6-3 7-6 (5) 6-3 for a fourth Flushing Meadows crown.
The match hinged on a marathon second set lasting 104 minutes, which was longer than both players’ entire first-round matches.
Djokovic won it after a tie-break to move 2-0 up and finally break Medvedev’s spirit, going on to gain a measure of revenge after the Russian denied him the calendar grand slam in the final here two years ago.
The win also moved him level with Margaret Court’s record of major titles, although really that is a statistical irrelevance given the obvious difference in the level and depth of competition between now and the 1960s.
Of more importance to Djokovic is his record against his peers; he is now two clear of Rafael Nadal’s 22 grand slam crowns and four ahead of Roger Federer, who declared on 20 last year.
Magnificent Novak Djokovic wins US Open and record-equalling 24th grand slam
The 36-year-old Serbian, who is back up to world number one, beat third seed Medvedev 6-3 7-6 (5) 6-3 for a fourth Flushing Meadows crown
Novak Djokovic explains Kobe Bryant tribute after winning US Open
Novak Djokovic paid tribute to Kobe Bryant after winning a record-equalling 24th grand slam singles title at the US Open.
The Serbian defeated Daniil Medvedev in straight sets (6-3, 7-6, 6-3) to level Margaret Court’s 50-year record.
And immediately after the victory, Djokovic revealed a t-shirt in tribute to the legendary basketball player, who died in a helicopter crash in 2020.
“I thought about doing this t-shirt a few days ago,” Djokovic explained. “I didn’t share it with anybody. Kobe was a close friend of mine, we chatted a lot, about the winner’s mentality.
Novak Djokovic explains Kobe Bryant tribute after winning US Open
The 36-year-old revealed a t-shirt in tribute to the legendary basketball player after winning his record-equalling 24th grand slam singles title
Novak Djokovic explains Kobe Bryant tribute
“I thought about doing this t-shirt a few days ago,” Djokovic explains. “I didn’t share it with anybody. Kobe was a close friend of mine, we chatted a lot, about the winner’s mentality.
“When I was struggling with an injury and working my way back. He was one of the people I relied on the most.
“Any counsel, advice... In a friendly way. What happened, his passing, it hurt me deeply. I thought 24, the jersey he wore to become a Lakers legend. It could be a nice symbolic thing to do for him.”
Novak Djokovic reacts to winnng record-equalling 24th grand slam title
“If I knew it was your anniversary, maybe I choose a different result,” adds Djokovic.
Daniil has been kind to me, since you were a junior, 14-15 years old. It’s nice to see the evolution.
“There’s more to achieve. You will win more slams, no doubt.
“He has the most authentic personality, you’re the best. Never change.”
Novak Djokovic reacts to winnng record-equalling 24th grand slam title
“I don’t know where to start, it means the world to me [to win 24 titles], I’m living my childhood dream,” Djokovic says.
“To compete at the highest level in the sport that gave me so much after so much adversity, growing up in the 90s, a couple of wars. It was very expensive, not affordable.
“It was quite a choice, incredible resilience, belief, all these years. My wife, my kids, my team, this is your trophy as much as mine. I love you.
“To make history in this sport is remarkable. It’s special. In every meaning. It’s hard to describe. I had a childhood dream at eight to win Wimbledon and be the best player in the world.
“New goals... I never imagined I’d be here talking about 24 slams. I didn’t know it would be the reality. But I thought I had a chance over the last few years, why not grab it?”
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