Tennis: Novak Djokovic wins US Open and equals all-time record of 24 Grand Slam titles

Europe 1 with AFP // Photo credits: Lev Radin / ANADOLU AGENCY / Anadolu Agency via AFP 06:27, September 11, 2023

Novak Djokovic won, this Sunday, September 10, his fourth US Open by beating in the final Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 and thus equaled the absolute record of 24 Grand Slam titles held by Australian Margaret Court since the US Open 1973. Djokovic became the most successful player in men's Grand Slams when he won his 23rd title at Roland Garros in June, surpassing Rafael Nadal. At 36, he will return to world number one on Monday and will begin a record 390th week at this place.

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3h17 of exhausting exchanges

He kissed his daughter at the edge of the court and then went up into the stands where he fell into the arms of actor Matthew McConaughey who was in his box, then his parents, son and wife. Then he came back down to the court and put on a T-shirt with the slogan "Mamba for Ever" around a photo showing him next to NBA player Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash.

It was on this Arthur-Ashe court that he had experienced one of his greatest disappointments when in 2021, the same Medvedev had deprived him of the feat of achieving a calendar Grand Slam. But this time, the Serb arrived without the emotional pressure that had paralyzed him in 2021. It still took him 3h17 of grueling exchanges to get the better of Medvedev. On several occasions, the two players found themselves on the ground more or less voluntarily and took the opportunity to catch their breath.

Djokovic started the match better: immediately in the match, he took advantage of a Medvedev float to steal his serve immediately, lead 3-0 and held his advantage until the end, without having to save a single break ball. But the Russian held up much better in the second set, even if his stubbornness to place himself extremely far from the backline on Djokovic's serve allowed the Serb to win many points quite easily by serving and volleying. Medvedev gave himself his first break ball of the match, to lead 5-3, but Djokovic saved it with an exceptional half-volley crossed.

Obviously, Djokovic suffered physically during this set. He lay on the floor to catch his breath between exchanges, rested his hands on his knees several times, used an ice pack at the change of side, placed behind the neck while he had air blown on his face. However, the roof had been closed due to rain that had drenched New York until the middle of the night and the Arthur Ashe Court had air conditioning.

Djokovic then saved a set point at 5-6, but he snatched the tie-break that Medvedev gave him on a direct backhand fault into the net. While Djokovic went out for his famous toilet break, Medvedev had his left shoulder massaged on the court. Djokovic gave a final push in the third set, as if not to risk the match dragging on. He quickly managed the break to lead 3-1. But he could not confirm and Medvedev returned. In the aftermath, the Serb again took his opponent's serve and this time he confirmed to lead 5-2. And under the "Nole" of the public, he served for the match at 5-3.