US Open 2023 results: Novak Djokovic wins 24th major by beating Daniil Medvedev

Novak Djokovic received a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title by outlasting Daniil Medvedev in a punishing US Open remaining in New York.

The 36-year-old Serb received 6-3 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 however the straight-set scoreline doesn’t inform how deep he needed to dig.

A cushty opening set was adopted by a brutal second which lasted one hour and 44 minutes.

After the pair exchanged breaks early within the third, Djokovic took management to degree Margaret Court’s 50-year report.

“It obviously means the world to me,” mentioned Djokovic on profitable his 24th major.

“I’m actually residing my childhood dream to compete on the highest degree on this sport, which has given me and my household a lot from tough circumstances.

“I by no means thought I’d be right here however the final couple of years I assumed I had a shot at historical past. Why not seize it when it’s introduced?”

Second seed Djokovic seemed bodily troubled in that gruelling second set, however confirmed all of the hallmarks of his greatness to win a fourth US Open title.

Djokovic, who surpassed Rafael Nadal’s report tally of 22 males’s major titles earlier this 12 months, has matched Australia’s Court on the second try after shedding the Wimbledon remaining in July.

He has received three of the 4 Grand Slam titles in 2023, changing into the primary man to realize this feat on 4 events.

Now the incoming world primary has the prospect to surpass Court at January’s Australian Open – the place he has already received a report 10 titles.

It felt becoming that Djokovic arrange championship level by profitable one other prolonged rally and, after being made to attend to serve by shouts from the gang, sealed victory when Medvedev hit a forehand into the web.

“I’d positively signal immediately the paper if any individual would inform me I’d win three out of 4 and play Wimbledon finals this 12 months,” Djokovic mentioned.

“There is a bit remorse that I did not win that Wimbledon remaining. But, on the finish of the day, I’ve a lot extra to be happier and content material with than really to remorse one thing.”

When Djokovic misplaced to 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz within the Wimbledon remaining it felt like a changing-of-the-guard second within the males’s recreation.

But, even within the twilight of his profession, Djokovic continues to indicate he can by no means be written off.

Djokovic has received eight of the previous 12 majors he has performed at and can change Alcaraz once more because the world primary on Monday.

“It’s not my curiosity or enterprise to essentially evaluate what everybody talks about or thinks, whether or not there’s a passing of the torch, or no matter you wish to name it, occurring or not occurring within the sport,” he mentioned.

“I deal with what I must do and the way I get myself in an optimum state in order that I can win the largest trophies in our sport. That’s what I care about.”

Djokovic was dialled in from the beginning of Sunday’s remaining, enjoying patiently and exactly to interrupt for a 2-0 lead, with Medvedev trying ragged as he fell 3-0 behind.

With Medvedev deep behind the baseline when receiving, Djokovic well determined to serve-volley on his technique to 4-1 – a tactic he employed all through – and confirmed his all-round high quality to shut out the opening set.

Djokovic had solely misplaced from a arrange on the US Open as soon as on 73 earlier events, in opposition to Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka within the 2016 remaining.

Djokovic’s relentless returning continued to attract errors out of Medvedev, who was serving poorly and making free errors, at the beginning of the second set.

The fixed stress led to a different break level for Djokovic within the seventh recreation, however Medvedev held on to carry as Djokovic tumbled on to the court docket after an energy-sapping 31-shot rally.

Something seemed to be troubling Djokovic bodily as he held a protracted recreation for 4-4 and survived Medvedev’s first break level of the match.

The Russian third seed was sticking longer within the rallies now, pushing Djokovic to his limits and making a set level at 6-5 which the Serb saved with one other serve and volley.

But Djokovic ultimately received over the road to make sure a marathon set could be settled by a tie-break.

Medvedev led 5-4 when a shocking 23-shot level ultimately went his manner regardless of Djokovic’s doggedness, just for the veteran to lock in once more and win the following three factors for a two-sets-to-love lead.

It was clear to see Medvedev had wanted to degree by taking that second set to face any actual likelihood of victory and the sensation of the inevitable was heightened by the Russian needing therapy on a shoulder damage earlier than the third set.

He provided resistance by placing it again on serve at 3-2, however Djokovic broke once more instantly and confidently clinched one other well-known win.

After shaking palms along with his opponent, Djokovic sobbed as he knelt on the court docket earlier than choosing out his daughter Tara from the gang.

Further tears adopted as he went to have a good time along with his nearest and dearest, which included mother and father Srdjan and Dijana, spouse Jelena, son Stefan – and Hollywood actor Matthew McConaughey.

Addressing his household, Djokovic thanked them for all their “sacrifices” when he was a toddler rising up in war-torn Serbia within the 1990s.

“The odds have been just about in opposition to me and my household. It was not accessible, not inexpensive, however I fell in love with tennis,” he mentioned.

“No-one in my household performed tennis however [there was] unbelievable resilience and perception from my household.

“My wife, my kids, my team, this is your trophy as much as it is mine.”

Djokovic additionally pulled on a T-shirt which paid tribute to NBA legend Kobe Bryant, his buddy who was killed in a helicopter crash in 2020 and wore 24 in his enjoying days.

“Kobe was an in depth buddy, we chatted so much in regards to the winners’ mentality after I was scuffling with damage and making an attempt to work my manner again to the highest.

“He was one of many individuals I relied on essentially the most, he was at all times there for assist in essentially the most pleasant manner.

“His passing hurt me deeply and 24 is the jersey he wore at Lakers so I thought it would be nice to acknowledge him.”

The New York crowds have been handled to 2 particular nights after Coco Gauff received a maiden Grand Slam ladies’s singles title on Saturday at the start of her thrilling profession however Djokovic’s triumph introduced emotion for various causes, with the Serb nearing the tip of his.

BBC pundits hailed Djokovic’s achievement with former British primary Annabel Croft saying followers had witnessed “something incredibly special”.

“We witnessed him tying Margaret Court with 24 titles. It has taken him a time to get there but he’s done it. He’s super-human isn’t he?” she mentioned on BBC Radio 5 Live.

“He had to put himself through the pain barrier to be able to do it. I don’t think Medvedev could have played any better. I just admire the strength of character he has but to find the layers he found in his game. It was perfection.”

American former participant Jeff Tarango hailed an “incredible moment” that “no-one will ever see again”.

“I do not suppose every other human may have performed what he did on this second set and have the ability to capable of stumble by way of it, fall over many instances and are available again once more, and time and again.

“This was a child who grew up enjoying tennis in an empty swimming pool and he grew to become the best tennis participant of all time. You can attempt to psychoanalyse all you need however the truth is he has put all of the items of the puzzle collectively. He cannot get any higher.”