Nova Djokovic made the sweetest of returns to Flushing Meadows on Sunday night – banned in 2022, the oldest champion ever in 2023.
The 36-year-old Serbian won his first US Open title in five years when he defeated Daniil Medvedev in a brutal battle that pushed both men to the limit, even with a straight-sets score of 6-3, 7-6 . 6-3
For Djokovic, a 24th Grand Slam title in his 36th final was a signal that his Wimbledon decline was more of an aberration than the start of a trend, and he is two majors ahead of Rafael Nadal and will certainly never be caught. That will probably mean more to him than matching Margaret Court of an earlier era.
Against the highly ranked Russian number three, he endured a match that was, as expected, characterized by rallies that mixed athleticism with attrition, leaving the crowd gasping in disbelief. They fought off each other from the baseline, but as is often the case with Djokovic, he was the one who delivered when it mattered most.
Three hours and 17 minutes had been played when Medvedev hit a final forehand into the net. He was initially dejected at the moment of victory, but then cried as he went into the stands to hug his daughter.
Novak Djokovic is US Open champion again after his victory over Daniil Medvedev
Daniil Medvedev of Russia reacts during a medical timeout between sets against Djokovic
Djokovic had won nine of his last 14 meetings, the most important of which was a defeat in this final two years ago when the Russian emphatically blocked his attempt to win the calendar’s Grand Slam. That was another element of redemption.
Since Medvedev played under cover due to earlier rains, he may have been the most battle-hardened player. His route to the final had been much more difficult and included defeating Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals.
A classic feature of Medvedev’s game is the way he stands so far back on the field, and it was clear from the start that Djokovic wanted to make sure he couldn’t simply retreat into that comfort zone.
Dropshots are an obvious tactic, although the Russian moves so quickly they must be executed perfectly. Another trick Djokovic wanted to show early on was to volley after his serve because his opponent’s receiving position offered so much time and angle.
He took advantage of a sluggish opening serve game from Medvedev to break immediately and held on, prepared to handle the long rallies that would inevitably occur.
Since Medvedev lacked consistency in the previous rounds, he had to accept two set points when the score was 2:5, which he saved by pushing his opponent deep into the corners.
Djokovic climbs over the net to check on Daniil Medvedev, who is lying on the court after a rally
Novak Djokovic from Serbia offers Daniil Medvedev from Russia a hand up after a rally
Djokovic made no mistake in the following game, refusing to crack a marathon change that allowed him another set point, but the Russian sunk it long.
Medvedev then stopped play for six minutes and took a ridiculously long toilet break, but when the fight resumed he was still struggling to keep up with his opponent, who forced a break point at 3-3.
Djokovic dropped melodramatically to the ground after a grueling point as they tested each other’s defenses and Medvedev improved. In the 12-minute eighth game of the second set, the Serb saved a break point with a wonderful half-volley from the floor and thus stayed level.
Medvedev was now fully back in the game and forced a set point at 6:5, but instead of going over the line, he hit his opponent with a backhand, which he controlled for the winning goal.
Facing Djokovic in a tiebreaker is a thankless task, but the Russian had his chances. After his 3-1 lead turned into 5-5, Medvedev hit his forehand return wide and then, disappointingly, hit a backhand into the net.
Lasting 104 minutes, it was the longest set of the tournament and longer than both men’s victories in their opening rounds.
Djokovic reacts during a break in play against Daniil Medvedev on Sunday in Queens
When the Serb went to change from his sweat-soaked clothes, he did so knowing that his hard-court record in Grand Slams was 126-0 when he led with two sets to go. His opponent had to stew in his chair, knowing that he had created enough openings to equalize.
Djokovic’s energy level fluctuated in the second set of this marathon, occasionally slouching after some of the more brutal exchanges, but there’s nothing like the sight of the winning post to cheer up a player.
He began the third game confidently, forcing what appeared to be a decisive break at 2-1 by hitting Medvedev with his forehand, whose legs were starting to look less cooperative.
Twice he unbalanced him by making backhands that flew over the baseline, the second time at 15:40.
Then there was an unexpected breakdown, Djokovic played his loosest series of points and immediately secured the break.
The war of attrition had taken its toll, and the overall level of play dropped as it was Medvedev’s turn to hand out a few gifts, and three breaks of serve saw the Serb move to 4-2, which he was unable to get overtaken.