In a thrilling showdown under the closed roof of Arthur Ashe Stadium, Novak Djokovic clinched his 24th Grand Slam title at the U.S. Open on Sunday night. The 36-year-old Serbian tennis legend overcame Daniil Medvedev with a score of 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3 in a fiercely contested match that belied its straight-set outcome.

Djokovic’s victory at the U.S. Open not only solidified his status as one of tennis’s all-time greats but also placed him one step ahead of Serena Williams, making him the first player in the Open era (since 1968) to capture 24 major singles titles. Margaret Court also achieved this feat, but 13 of her titles predate the inclusion of professional players in Grand Slam events.

The match was an epic display of resilience and skill, with Djokovic battling through a grueling second set that lasted 1 hour and 44 minutes. At times, it seemed like Djokovic might falter, but he summoned his strength, often leaning on his racket or taking brief moments to catch his breath.

This victory held special significance for Djokovic as it avenged his defeat by Medvedev in the 2021 U.S. Open final, thwarting his pursuit of a calendar-year Grand Slam, a feat not achieved in over 50 years. Djokovic’s triumph also earned him the distinction of being the oldest male champion in the U.S. Open’s Open era.

Adding to his impressive collection of titles, Djokovic’s fourth U.S. Open championship, combined with his Australian Open (10), Wimbledon (7), and French Open (3) victories, further solidified his place atop the men’s Grand Slam leaderboard. His closest competitors, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, have 22 and 20 titles, respectively.

Djokovic’s 27-1 record in major events this season, with his only loss coming at Wimbledon in July, reaffirms his dominance in the tennis world. He is set to reclaim the No. 1 spot in the rankings, overtaking Carlos Alcaraz, who was the defending champion at Flushing Meadows but was eliminated by Medvedev in the tournament.

Despite the pressure and the history at stake, Djokovic displayed unwavering composure throughout the match, proving once again that he is a force to be reckoned with on the tennis court.

Credit: AP