CNN
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Novak Djokovic won the US Open on Sunday, beating Daniil Medvedev 6-3 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 in the men’s final to extend his record Grand Slam singles title haul to 24.
The world No 2 further cemented herself as one of the greatest tennis players of all time – with Sunday’s win, she equaled Margaret Court’s record for most Grand Slam titles.
In a rematch of the 2021 US Open final, the Serbian completed his triumphant return to the United States by avenging his loss to No. 3 seed Medvedev at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.
“Obviously it means the world to me,” Djokovic said after the match. “I am truly living my childhood dream of competing at the highest level in the sport that has given so much to me and my family.”
Playing in front of a packed crowd, Djokovic was in his usual dominant form in the first set, never facing a break point, while hitting 12 winners in nine games. Entering Sunday’s final, Djokovic went 72-1 at the US Open when winning the first set, his only loss coming to Stan Wawrinka in the 2016 final.
The second set proved more competitive, as Djokovic and Medvedev traded games back and forth, culminating in the Serb’s tiebreak at 7-5 after one hour and 45 minutes.
From there, with momentum in his favor and a set away for a fourth US Open title, Djokovic cruised to victory, needing just one championship point to seal the historic title.
With the victory, the 36-year-old became the oldest man to win a US Open singles title in the Open era and the first man to win three Grand Slam titles in one season for the fourth time – previously in 2011, 2015 and 2021.
Djokovic also extended his lead over Spain’s Rafael Nadal (22) and Switzerland’s Roger Federer (20) for the most men’s singles titles ever.
“To make history in this sport is truly remarkable and special in every possible and every possible sense of the word special,” Djokovic said.
Sitting in the front row during the match was Djokovic’s six-year-old daughter, who he shared with reporters during a post-match news conference, saying she would smile at him when he needed his energy the most.
He said it was important to him that his daughter and her nine-year-old son experienced their father’s victory when they were old enough to understand it.
And as for keeping it going, Djokovic said: “If I’m still playing at the top, I don’t want to give up the game.”
After his win, an emotional Djokovic momentarily dropped to his hands and knees before heading towards his family in the stands to celebrate.
When he returned to the court, Djokovic honored late NBA superstar Kobe Bryant by changing into a blue shirt featuring a photo of himself and the Lakers legend with the words “Mamba Forever” on the front, and the number on the back. . Bryant wore No. 24 for the second half of his professional basketball career.
“I thought it might be a nice symbolic thing to acknowledge,” said Djokovic, who considered Bryant a close friend.
“We talked a lot about the winner’s mentality when I was struggling with the injury and trying to come back,” Djokovic said of his relationship with Bryant.
“He was one of the people I trusted the most. He was always there for any kind of advice, advice, any kind of help in a friendly way.
All the time The Grand Slam this year, Djokovic Got a chance to make history.
He equaled Rafael Nadal’s 22 Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open, drew clean with a men’s record 23 Grand Slam titles at the French Open and lost to Carlos Alcaraz. Wimbledon Final
The Serb will have a chance to cross the court and make a name for himself as the player with the most wins at the Australian Open in January 2024.