Djokovic clinches historic 24th Grand Slam

Washington, Sept 11:  Novak Djokovic clinched his fourth US Open men’s singles title, defeating Daniil Medvedev in the final, at the Flushing Meadows in New York on Monday. The Serbian ace cruised to a easy win in the first set, claiming it 6-3. In the next set, Medvedev tried to stage a comeback, but lost in the tie-breaker as the Serb bagged it 7-6(5). Then in the third set, Djokovic consolidated on the first two sets, to ease to a 6-3 win. The Serb claimed a 6-3 7-6(5) 6-3 victory to match Margaret Court’s record tally of 24 Grand Slams.

This triumph against Medvedev, the opponent who beat him in the 2021 final at Flushing Meadows to stop a bid for the first men’s calendar-year Grand Slam in more than a half-century, made Djokovic the oldest male champion at the US Open in the Open era.

“First of all, Novak, I want to ask: What are you still doing here?” Medvedev joked during the trophy presentation.

Djokovic’s fourth championship in New York, where he was unable to compete a year ago because he isn’t vaccinated against Covid-19, goes alongside his 10 trophies from the Australian Open, seven from Wimbledon and three from the French Open, extending his lead on the men’s Slam list. Rafael Nadal, who has been sidelined since January with a hip problem that required surgery, is next with 22; Roger Federer, who announced hia retirement finished with 20.

When it was over, Medvedev tapped Djokovic on the chest as they chatted at the net. Djokovic flung his racket away, put his arms up and then knelt on the court, with his head bowed. And then the celebration was on. First he found his daughter for a hug. His son and wife came next, along with his team.

Soon, Djokovic was donning a shirt with “24” and “Mamba Forever” written on it as a tribute to the late NBA star Kobe Bryant, who wore that jersey number. And on top of that went a white jacket with the same significant number stamped on the chest.