Final US Open: Djokovic tears in vain against the defeat

Status: 1:55 a.m.| Reading time: 3 minutes

FFor a brief moment the tennis history books seemed to open again after all. With the tournament victory at the US Open, Novak Djokovic would have made the Grand Slam perfect, would have won all four major tournaments of the calendar year: Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon – and now the event in Flushing Meadows.

But the spark of hope faded in the tears that came over the Serbs at 4: 6, 4: 6, 4: 6 against the Russian Daniil Medvedev.

With a score of 2: 5 in the third set, the final was actually long lost. Medvedev had everything under control and his first match point at 40:30 and his own serve. But there were two double errors and then the first loss of service in the match. The hope for one of the biggest comebacks in sports history was suddenly palpable when Djokovic then reduced it to 4: 5.

Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York became a madhouse from then on, and while the audience yelled at the Serbs to catch up when they switched sides, emotions overwhelmed the world’s number one. He thanked him, patted his heart, and began to cry. At first a bit hidden under the towel, but then also during the first rally of the tenth game.

“You saw what was going on in him and what had built up in the last few weeks and months. That was inhumane, ”said last year’s winner Dominic Thiem at“ Eurosport ”.

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So busy with himself, Djokovic lost the necessary tension and gave up the chance for the first Grand Slam since Australian Rod Laver in 1969.

Medvedev apologizes to the audience

As in the previous rounds, he had lost the first set again – but the fact that he had to hand over his first service game to Medvedev was unusual and in retrospect a hint. After only 36 minutes Djokovic was back in sets 0: 1 against an opponent who had everything under control.

Even three breakballs for Djokovic and the cheering spectators for the Serb at the beginning of the second round did not disturb his 25-year-old opponent.

Whatever Djokovic did, the 1.98 meter tall Medvedev was nimble enough and good enough to answer in too many situations. After 90 minutes he had won the second set, two more breaks in the third set finally paved the way to victory.

“An incredible match from you. If there is anyone who deserves a Grand Slam title now, then it is you, “congratulated Djokovic and looked at the audience:” Even if I did not achieve this special title, my heart is full of joy. I’ve never felt so good in New York as I did this time. Thanks for the support. I love you.”

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Big words followed by big ones: “This is the most difficult speech of my life, and I would like to start it with an apology”, Medevedev opened: “Sorry, folks! Sorry, Novak, for preventing the big moment. But you are the greatest tennis player in history. “