Tennis POLL: Will Djokovic lose out to Nadal and Federer? Can Raducanu copy Serena?

Even in the build-up to the US Open, the focus was on the history that could be made at the tournament, but it was a different star who managed to add their name to the record books than many expected.

All eyes were on Novak Djokovic, who had already won the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon so far this year, and aimed to be the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to complete the Calendar Grand Slam.

Instead, it was Emma Raducanu who stole the spotlight as she achieved the seemingly impossible, coming through three rounds of qualifying and seven main-draw matches without dropping a set to win her first ever title.

The 18-year-old came into the tournament ranked at a then-career-high No 150 in the world, and became the first player in history to win the title on their second Grand Slam appearance, as well as the first British woman in 44 years to win a Major title, and leaves New York at world No 23.

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The Bromley teenager had already produced a stunning run at Wimbledon earlier this summer, storming to the second week as a wild card before retiring her fourth-round match with breathing difficulties, but her US Open title has set a new precedent in the sporting world.

Djokovic had been looking to join Raducanu in rewriting history on finals weekend, as he took to the court just one match-win away from not only achieving the Calendar Slam, but also surpassing his rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal to hold the most Major titles in history for a male player with 21.

The pressure looked to be too much on the top seed’s shoulders, as he appeared flat in comparison to world No 2 Medvedev, who was able to win his Maiden Grand Slam title with a convincing 6-4 6-4 6-4 victory after being denied the chance in two previous finals.

It means the Serb remains level with his biggest rivals and fellow Big Three members in 20 Grand Slam titles each, with both Federer and Nadal hoping to make a return to the tour in 2022 following their own respective surgeries for ongoing injuries.

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While offering a thrilling fortnight of tennis, the US Open has perhaps left many sporting fans with more questions than they had ahead of the tournament, as Djokovic showed he could be beaten on the world’s biggest stages and Raducanu announced herself, earning comparisons to the likes of Serena Williams.

Have your say on whether Novak Djokovic will be able to surpass Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the Grand Slam race, and whether Emma Raducanu really is the next Serena Williams, in Express Sport’s latest tennis poll below.