Novak Djokovic started well, recovered from set point down in an exhausting 105-minute second set, and responded as you’d expect after suddenly being broken for the first time midway through the third during a tense final that easily could’ve gone the distance. Exacting revenge over 2021 titlist Daniil Medvedev, who pipped him to the trophy two years ago, the 36-year-old made more history on his New York return and is now a 24-time Major champion.
A fitting end to Djokovic’s Flushing Meadows return
Djokovic [2] bt. Medvedev [3] 6-3, 7-6, 6-3
- Novak Djokovic seals fourth US Open title, record-extending 24th men’s singles title and is the oldest male champion in Open Era (36y, 111d)
- Djokovic reached all four Major finals this season, responding to his five-set defeat by Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in July with aplomb here
- Medvedev produced some awe-inspiring tennis in Friday’s second semifinal to overpower 20-year-old Spaniard in four (7-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4)
Welcome back to New York, Novak. After a tumultuous 2022 that saw him deported, banished, vilified and more besides, the 36-year-old Serb was back on the Arthur Ashe stage smiling and graciously lapping up the adulation he’s long been without.
It feels like poetic justice he won a historic 24th Major title in the same place which has ruthlessly delivered more than half of his biggest career disappointments, dating back to his maiden Grand Slam final in 2007 against Swiss legend Roger Federer.
Djokovic: 24 Major titles, 12 runner-up finishes
Half of Djokovic’s 12 Grand Slam final defeats have come at the US Open: Federer (2007), Rafael Nadal (2010, 2013), Andy Murray (2012), Stan Wawrinka (2016), Daniil Medvedev (2021). Medvedev stopped him from achieving the Calendar Slam.
Additionally, he was disqualified from the 2020 edition during his fourth-round match against Pablo Carreno Busta after accidentally hitting a line official with a ball that wasn’t in play, ending his unbeaten 26-0 season and 29-match winning streak.
The first player to be defaulted from a Major for 20 years, that guaranteed a first-time Slam champion and Dominic Thiem recovered from two sets down to do so.
His head coach, Goran Ivanisevic, said it best in press afterwards.
Just like his set two tiebreak against Alcaraz proved pivotal at SW19 two months prior, the same happened with a different outcome this time around. Those fine margins often define winning and losing, Medvedev’s level soared until it didn’t.
Medvedev in set 1:
two aces, three double-faults and 56% first serve — 8 winners, 12 unforced errors
set 2:
three aces, two doubles and 69% first serve — 18 winners and 17 unforced errors
Seeing him receiving medical treatment between sets, as Djokovic had departed court for a break, felt damning the same way Laslo Djere had asked the umpire how long before his compatriot would return in R3 – at that stage up two sets to love.
Djere’s question might have seemed innocent in isolation, but instead suggested he was distracted and knew he needed to maintain the highest tennis level many had seen him produce for another set, the biggest of his life. Predictably, it didn’t come.
As far as pushing the physical barrier… Djokovic was stretching out his legs, his hip and stumbled on a few occasions after losing arduous rally points with errors.
Medvedev too, would’ve been feeling the pace of a final that had quickly intensified – but taking that injury timeout for his left shoulder immediately after losing set two resembled a quiet acceptance that it wouldn’t be his day.
Tennis is such a mental game that, in these moments, you see how different players handle adversity a variety of ways. Some can mask their stress better than others.
Medvedev admitted in his post-match speech two years ago that he was physically struggling in the latter stages of his triumph, and needed to get the job done in straight-sets. Djokovic broke his spirit after rallying to win set two here.
“He had a bit of luck in the first set – Daniil gave him a gift in the second game – a lot of rallies, tough points and it was actually amazing how he won that [second] set, it wasn’t looking well.
He played some unbelievable shots in the end, coming to the net, volleys, read him well on set point and regained energy to play much better in the tiebreak.
That tiebreak was crucial in Wimbledon and again here, if he wins that it’s 3-0 [another straight-sets Major win], was only a question of how fast – I knew he would break back soon.”
- Ivanisevic’s assessment of a thrilling final, Medvedev more than playing his part
How did we reach this point? A remarkable second set
Medvedev had to navigate through a tricky few opening service games, but the scoreboard pressure began to mount on Djokovic as it became increasingly clear the Russian had settled into rhythm much better than was the case in set one.
Djokovic used Medvedev’s deep court position against him at times, using deft shots and advancing towards the net with repeated success expecting the former world no. 1 to quickly adjust. Couple that with some inspiring shot defence behind the baseline, Medvedev’s error count continued to rise as they exchanged service holds.
The pendulum of pressure swung one way, then the next, as Djokovic was keen to keep Medvedev feeling stressed on serve.
Timely aces, first from 0-30 down (to lead 3-2) and again to go 4-3 up were key in fending off the Serbian’s half-chances before they developed any further.
During my live ball-by-ball commentary, I suggested that sequence could prove the catalyst to Medvedev snatching set two and right on cue, Djokovic served two double-faults in the next game as he suddenly relinquished a break point chance.
A crazy half-volley return winner saw him save it and he wasn’t done there, either. Ill-advised drop shots would’ve cost the 36-year-old dearly, if not for clutch shot-making like this when the onus was on him to produce:
The same happened again, much to Medvedev’s disbelief, when Djokovic’s first serve percentages continued to dwindle and he had to problem-solve his way out of trouble. Set point down – all of his own doing – he did this:
The subsequent outcome felt ominous as their contrasting tiebreak records flashed up on screen (12-9 Medvedev, 25-5 Djokovic), even though Daniil had just enjoyed a 20-minute period where it looked like he couldn’t miss a rally ball.
A few costly errors from 5-4 up, culminating with a netted backhand, gave Djokovic the breathing space he craved and tension soon eased towards the finish line even after eventually being broken and showing signs of nerves on serve in set three.
Picture source: Getty Images, quotes via Eurosport live broadcast unless stated
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