Novak Djokovic's U.S Open Trophy Celebration - Photo from Twitter/@DjokerNole
Novak Djokovic, a 36-year-old tennis player from Serbia, has matched Margaret Court’s record by winning the 2023 U.S. Open men’s singles final, securing his 24th major title.
The U.S. Open Men’s Singles Final: Djokovic vs. Medvedev Showdown
Djokovic faced Russian player Daniil Medvedev in the final match and won in straight sets on Sunday. This victory made him the oldest man to win the tournament in the open era.
Djokovic displayed great determination and clever strategies to win with scores of 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3. Despite the apparent ease in the scoreline, the match was closely fought.
Surpassing Serena Williams: Djokovic’s 24 Major Singles Titles
With this win, Djokovic has surpassed Serena Williams, securing 24 major singles titles in the Open era, which began in 1968. Margaret Court also had 24 titles, but 13 were earned before professionals were allowed to participate in these events.
Challenges and Resilience: Key Moments in the Match
There were moments in the second set, lasting 1 hour and 44 minutes when Djokovic appeared to face challenges but showed resilience. After intense rallies, he would lean over, use his racket for support, or stretch his legs.
This match was a rematch of the 2021 final, where Medvedev won, denying Djokovic a calendar-year Grand Slam.
Djokovic’s Impressive Grand Slam Titles
Djokovic now has four U.S Open titles to his name, in addition to his 10 Australian Open titles, seven from Wimbledon, and three from the French Open. This extends his lead in the list of men’s Grand Slam titles. Rafael Nadal is next with 22 titles, followed by Roger Federer, who retired with 20.
Djokovic’s Tribute to Kobe Bryant
After his victory, Djokovic celebrated with his family and team. He wore a shirt with “24” and “Mamba Forever” as a tribute to Kobe Bryant, his close friend and NBA legend, who wore the number 24.
Djokovic said, “Kobe was a close friend and a source of inspiration during my injury recovery and come back to the top of the game.”
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