Novak Djokovic has received the 2023 U.S. Open males’s singles ultimate, tying Margaret Courtroom’s all-time report of 24 main titles.
The 36-year-old from Serbia beat Russian Daniil Medvedev in immediately units on Sunday, changing into the oldest guy to win the match within the open technology.
Novak Djokovic used each and every ounce of his power and a few serve-and-volley guile to get previous Medvedev 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3 in a fit that used to be extra carefully contested than the straight-set ranking indicated.
Djokovic moved one main singles name in entrance of Serena Williams to grow to be the primary participant to win 24 within the Open technology, which started in 1968. Margaret Courtroom additionally gathered a complete of 24, however 13 of the ones got here ahead of execs had been admitted to the Slam occasions.
There have been moments, specifically within the 1-hour, 44-minute 2d set that used to be as a lot about tenacity as skill, when Djokovic gave the look to be faltering. After one of the maximum grueling issues, he would lean over with arms on knees or use his racket for reinforce or pause to stretch his legs.
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The assembly used to be a rematch of the 2021 ultimate in Flushing Meadows, Queens, when Medvedev received in immediately units for his first and up to now handiest Grand Slam name and denied Djokovic what would were the primary calendar-year Grand Slam in males’s tennis since 1969.
Djokovic’s fourth championship in New York, the place he used to be not able to compete a yr in the past as a result of he is not vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19, is going along his 10 trophies from the Australian Open, seven from Wimbledon and 3 from the French Open, extending his lead at the males’s Slam listing. Nadal, sidelined since January with a hip downside, is subsequent with 22; Roger Federer, who introduced his retirement a yr in the past, completed with 20.
When it used to be over, Medvedev tapped Djokovic at the chest as they talked on the web. Djokovic flung his racket away, put his hands up after which knelt at the court docket, together with his head bowed. After which the birthday celebration used to be on. First he discovered his daughter for a hug. His son and spouse got here subsequent, along side his workforce.
Quickly, Djokovic used to be donning a blouse with “24” and “Mamba Without end” written on it as a tribute to the overdue NBA big name Kobe Bryant, who wore that jersey quantity. And on best of that went a white jacket with the similar important quantity stamped at the chest.
“Kobe used to be an in depth pal. We chatted so much in regards to the winner’s mentality when I used to be suffering with damage and seeking to make my comeback, paintings my as far back as the highest of the sport,” Djokovic mentioned. “He used to be one of the crucial folks that I relied at the maximum.”