Djokovic beats Medvedev at US Open final to lift 24th Grand Slam title

There’s just no stopping Novak Djokovic.

The Serbian created history once again, beating Daniil Medvedev in the 2023 US Open Final to win a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title, tying Margaret Court for the most major singles’ trophies in tennis history. The number two seed ousted his Russian counterpart 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3 in a slugfest at Flushing Meadows on Sunday to win his fourth US Open crown and go two clear of Rafael Nadal on the men’s all-time list.

New York hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for Djokovic in recent times. The 36-year-old last won the US Open in 2018 and suffered a chastening straight-sets defeat against Medvedev in the final two years ago. However, the Serbian was determined to prevent a repeat of the 2021 final as he came out firing on all cylinders at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Djokovic broke Medvedev’s serve to love in just the second game of the final, instantly grabbing the early initiative. The number three seed saved two set points on his serve, but Djokovic converted his first opportunity on his own serve to close out the set in 48 minutes, taking a 1-0 lead.

After an error-strewn opener, Medvedev returned to his best in a gruelling second set that lasted 1 hour and 44 minutes. The length of the rallies extended as the 27-year-old preyed on the older legs of Djokovic, forcing him to cover every inch of the court. However, just as he has done throughout his career, Djokovic found a way to win. He saved a set point at 6-5 on his serve before winning three points in a row in the tiebreak to clinch the marathon set and take a 2-0 lead.

It was one-way traffic in the third. Although Djokovic dropped his first service game of the final, the Russian failed to capitalize as the number two seed dominated at the net with his serve and volley tactics to clinch the historic win.

Djokovic’s victory in New York closes out a stunning year for the Serbian, where he continues to redefine the pinnacle of the sport. He won his tenth Australian Open title in January, moved past Rafael Nadal with a record-breaking 23^rd Grand Slam crown at the French Open before finishing with an emphatic win at the US Open that takes him back atop of the ATP rankings.

“Knowing that I play at such a high level still, and I win the biggest tournaments, I don’t want to leave this sport if I’m still at the top,” said Djokovic post-match. Given the current trajectory, those days seem a fair while away.