Novak Djokovic won his 24th Grand Slam title on Sunday night after a tҺrilling and draining U.S. Open final against Daniil Medvedev. Djokovic prevailed in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3, but the match was closer than the score indicated.

The 36-year-old Djokovic from Serbia is the first player in the Open era (1968-present) to win 24 major singles titles. He is now one title ahead of Serena Williams. Like Williams, Margaret Court won a total of 24 Grand Slam titles, although unlike Williams, 13 of those occurred before professional players were allowed to compete.

Djokovic’s touching obituary for the late Kobe Bryant, NBA superstar

Djokovic wore a shirt honoring the late NBA great Kobe Bryant, who wore the number 24, by writing “24” and “Mamba Forever” on the back. A white jacket bearing the same significant number was added on top.

Djokovic appeared to be struggling at times, most notably in the 1 hour and 44 minute second set, which was as much about persistence as talent. There were many times when he had to lean over, racket in hand, to rest his weary knees and hands and stretch his legs.

Djokovic became the oldest male champion at the U.S. Open in the Open era with his victory over Medvedev, who had defeated him in the 2021 final at Flushing Meadows to terminate a bid for the first me𝚗’s calendar-year Grand Slam in more than half a century.

“First and foremost, Novak, I must inquire: Why are you still in this place?” Medvedev cracked jokes as he presented the awards.

Due to his vaccination history, Djokovic was ineligible to play in the US Open in 2022.

Djokovic’s fourth New York title, after missing last year’s tournament due to a lack of CоVID-19 vaccination, adds to his already-extensive collection of Grand Slam titles, which includes 10 from the Australian Open, 7 from Wimbledon, and 3 from the French Open. After Federer (20), who retired last year, comes Rafael Nadal (22). Nadal hasn’t played since January due to a hip ιnjury that necessitated surgery.

Medvedev tapped Djokovic on the chest after the match as they talked at the net. Djokovic threw away his racket, raised his arms, and then knelt down on the court, bowing his head. The party finally began after that. He started out by finding his daughter to hug. After that, his squad arrived, followed by his kid and his wife.

Djokovic was as dominant as ever this year, going 27-1 in the most prominent championships of the sport. His lone setback came to Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final in July. With Alcaraz’s loss to No. 3 Medvedev at Flushing Meadows, Djokovic will take over the top spot in the rankings on Monday.

Djokovic seemed completely at ease at the beginning of Sunday’s match, when the rain prediction forced the closure of the retractable roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium. There was no indication that the pressure of the situation, or the tension he admitted about arising late in his semifinal match against unseeded American Ben Shelton, was getting to him.

Djokovic played his greatest tennis ever, with flawless form in every strоke. In establishing early leads of 3-0 and 4-1, he won 12 of the first 16 points, including three aces that were superbly placed and played with pace, and four exchanges that lasted 10 strokes or more.

In contrast, Medvedev appeared tense and nervous throughout the match, with his white racket’s looping swings frequently breаking down during longer points and on his three double-faults in the opening set. The longest point was 37 shots, and it ended when Djokovic blinked and stumbled after he flubbed a backhand.

However, Djokovic was as consistent as a metronome, seeing practically everything coming, and racing here and there to retrieve and respond.