Novak Djokovic wrote another chapter in his remarkable story on Sunday by winning his record-equalling 24th Grand Slam by reclaiming the US Open title.
The new world No.1 drew level with Margaret Court a year after missing the event here in New York for his refusal to get a Covid 19 vaccine – and two years after losing the final here to Daniil Medvedev in tears.
He officially returns to world No.1 in the rankings on Monday.
And a seemingly inevitable 25th Major title in Melbourne in January – where he has already won 10 Australian Open titles – will see him become statistically the greatest tennis player of all time.
Then it will be just a question of how long the 36-year-old will want to carry on his career and make more history.
ESPN analyst John McEnroe said: “He is one of the most remarkable athletes you will see in any sport in every way possible
“The drive, the hunger, the will he still has after all his achievements is crazy. He is one in a billion.
“I love Roger, I idolised Rod Laver. I have the greatest respect for Rafa Nadal who gives more of an effort consistently. But this guy. I don’t even know where to begin. You just have to admire him.”
The Serbian superstar returned to win the Australian Open in January only 12 months on from his deportation.
Carlos Alcaraz stopped his latest bid to complete a calendar Grand Slam in an epic Wimbledon final but the Spaniard was stopped by Daniil Medvedev.
Djokovic reached his fourth Major final here – and overcame physical issues to out-lasted the Russian world No.3 6-3 7-6 6-2 in three hours and 17 minutes.
Full of lung-busting rallies – one first set exchange lasted a tournament high of 36 shots – this re-match of the 2021 final was decided by a 104-minute second set which Djokovic finally took on a tiebreak. The set lasted longer than both their first round matches here – and almost as long as the Truss government.
Djokovic has now won 15 of his last 17 tiebreaks in Majors – another example of his mental fortitude.
He adapted his tactics in this match to shorten points – and won 20 out of 22 points playing serve-and-volley – and took his first match point when the plucky Medvedev netted a forehand. It is his fourth US Open title.
The Australian and French Open champion is the oldest man to win the US Open in the Open era, breaking the record set by 35-year-old Ken Rosewall in 1970.
Roger Federer has retired and Rafa Nadal has announced his farewell tour next year and it is the next generation, led by Alcaraz, who will pose more of a challenge with each new season.
Djokovic had a favourable run to his 36th Grand Slam final – in his 72nd appearance – but he showed he is still is highly motivated to keep the youngsters in their place by ruthlessly ending 20-year-old Ben Shelton’s run to the last four and then stealing his “Hang up the phone” celebration. His number now is 24 and counting.
Asked if he was surprised to reach four Grand Slam finals at his age after his Shelton win., Djokovic replied: “It probably sounds cocky or arrogant, but I’m not really surprised, because I know how much work and dedication and energy I put into trying to be in this position, so I know that I deserve this. I always believe in myself, in my own capabilities, in my skills, in my quality as a tennis player to be able to deliver when it matters.
“So I’m not really surprised, to be honest with you. Because I feel good. Physically I have been as fit or as prepared, as strong as, I don’t want to say as ever, but, I mean, as good as I have been in the years and years.
So age is just a number, that phrase is resonating at the moment with me. And, you know, I don’t want to even consider, you know, leaving tennis or thinking about an end if I’m still at the top of the game.
“I just don’t see a reason for that. I will probably consider doing that if I get my ass kicked by young guys in the Grand Slams in the years to come in the earlier stages, and then I’ll probably say: ‘Okay, maybe it’s time to move on’. But so far I still feel that I’m in the game.”
His 24th and latest Grand Slam win proved he was right.
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