- I have never said this before but I say it now - for me you are the best tennis player ever, Medvedev said of the opponent after winning the US Open final in three straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, 6- 4.
A tired, worn out and annoyed Djokovic had little to oppose Medvedev, who played great.
Medvedev, who two years ago lost in the final to Rafael Nadal in a five-seater, never really let Djokovic enter the match.
Djokovic on the other hand, had a terrible day.
"Dani deserved to win, worked well," Djokovic said with tears in his eyes at the award ceremony.
- I am sure he will stand here several times again, he continued.
A lot at stake
The grand slam year ended as it began on the men's side - with the Serb Novak Djokovic against the Russian Daniil Medvedev in the final.
But unlike the meeting in Melbourne in February, the Russian won this time.
And unlike then, there was also quite a lot more at stake for Djokovic.
Then he defended his title Down under, now he had a chance to write himself in the history of tennis.
What was at stake for Djokovic: a real grand slam - that is, a win in the top four tournaments in one and the same year.
Something no male player has done since Australian Rod Laver succeeded in the feat in 1969.
He also had the opportunity to take his 21st grand slam title, most by any male player.
"Tough from the audience"
But instead, it was Daniil Medvedev who had to lift the dent inside Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows in Queens, New York.
To the annoyance of the audience.
Because there was no doubt about who was the favorite among the spectators on site.
Not only was there jubilation when Djokovic picked up points, shouting in front of Medvedev's servers made the referee sour.
But the US Open winner still thanked the audience in his winning speech, and the audience then responded with cheers.
- It was a bit tough today, which is understandable, he said jokingly and continued:
- But until today you have given me a lot of energy.
Djokovic also took the opportunity to thank the audience.
- I'm the happiest in the world tonight even though I did not win.
And it's thank you, I've never felt that way in New York before. Thank you for the support and everything you've done for me.
Wedding anniversary
Medvedev is the second Russian on the men's side to win the US Open, after Marat Safin 2000, and the third to take a grand slam title.
But he did not only have tennis successes to think about on Sunday.
The 25-year-old celebrated his three-year wedding anniversary on Sunday and said in his speech of thanks that he had not had time to buy a present for his wife Daria during the tournament.
- When I won the semi, I thought that now I really do not have time to buy a gift, so now I have to win the final.