The 36-year-old Serbian further added to his glamorous resume on Sunday by defeating Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-3.
Sunday evening’s match featured a rematch of the 2021 US Open final when Daniil Medvedev upset Novak Djokovic and ended his quest for the heralded calendar Grand Slam (4 Grand Slam wins in one calendar year). In front of celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Lil Wayne and John Hamm, Djokovic tied Margaret Court for the most Grand Slam titles of all time.
Momentum shifted early into the hands of the future world number one, breaking in Medvedev’s first service game. The 27-year-old Russian showed nerves coming out of the gate, missing first serves, making unforced errors and missing easy put-aways at the net. Within a half hour, Djokovic ran off to a four-one lead.
The 23-time Grand Slam winner prioritized attacking the Russian’s second serve, immediately taking control of the point from the get-go. Djokovic is 71-1 when winning the 1st set, his only loss coming in 2016 against Stan Wawrinka. The 36-year-old Serbian would win the first set six-three in 48 minutes.
Despite a handful of double faults, Medvedev was able to hold serve in the first game of the second set. Long rallies had a profound effect on Djokovic’s stamina in the middle of the second set, as he fell to the ground many times after some long and medium-length rallies.
Medvedev found his first break point at 3-4 in the second set, but a tremendous serve and drop volley by Djokovic fought off that threat. Djokovic would go on to win the next two points and hold serve for 4-4. Djokovic battled cramps in his legs throughout the second half of the second set.
At 6-5, Medvedev came across a set point, but a questionable choice from the Russian to hit a backhand cross-court rather than down the line dashed his chances of winning the set. The 36-year-old Serb would go on to hold serve and force a second-set tie-break.
It was a back-and-forth tie-break for the second set, which lasted over an hour and a half. Medvedev got off to a quick mini-break at 3-1 but was unable to hold on to his serve. Djokovic won 3 straight games to make it 4-3. At 6-5, Djokovic had an opportunity on the Russian’s serve to take a two sets to love lead, and he wasted no time, taking the marathon set, which lasted an hour and 44 minutes. This set ended up paving the path of this championship match.
Djokovic came closer to victory, breaking serve at 3-1 in the third set, but shockingly dropped serve in the following game. However, Medvedev would turn back the favor with an error-filled service game. In the final service game, Medvedev continued to battle, but a forehand into the net would give Djokovic the triumphant victory.
After a respectful embrace at the net with Medvedev, Djokovic fell to the ground with tears in his eyes. He then went on to celebrate with his family and coaches.
Djokovic’s dominant victory on Sunday wraps up a tremendous two weeks, let alone calendar year, from the new world number one. Looking back, it seems almost impossible to remember last Friday night, when he was on the brink of defeat against fellow countryman Laslo Djere, down two sets to love. However, since that third-round match, Djokovic did not even drop a single set on his route to the title.
Had it not been for 20-year-old Spanish phenom, Carlos Alcaraz, and his historic win against Djokovic at Wimbledon in July, we would be witnessing the first male player to achieve the calendar slam since Rod Laver in 1969.
Djokovic will take over the world number one ranking from Alcaraz on Monday; Medvedev will maintain his number three ranking. Both finalists have qualified for the year-end ATP Finals in Turin, Italy in November.
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