A beaten Novak Djokovic couldn’t hold back tears. Photo: John Minchillo / AP / dpa (Image: dpa)
(Photo: John Minchillo / AP / dpa)
New York – Novak Djokovic sat on his bench surrounded by 25,703 spectators in the world’s largest tennis stadium and howled into his towel.
He hadn’t lost the US Open final against Daniil Medvedev at all at this point, but the 34-year-old couldn’t even before the last rally. Shortly afterwards, with the 4: 6, 4: 6, 4: 6 on Sunday (local time) in New York, his dreams of the so rare Grand Slam, winning all four top tournaments in one calendar year, were brutally shattered in the final final.
“You touched my soul”
The disappointment and sadness combined with the overwhelming encouragement from the ranks led Djokovic into an emotional state of emergency. “The amount of support, the energy and love I got from the audience is something I will remember forever,” said the Serb. That’s why he cried.
«The emotions, the energy were so strong. I think that’s as strong as winning 21 Grand Slams. ” While still on the square, he said to the audience: “You touched my soul. I’ve never felt like this in New York. ” Despite the defeat, he is the “happiest person ever”.
Because that day in the 145 minutes in the Billie-Jean-King facility, so little worked out for him as probably never before in a grand finale, the world number one is unchanged with 20 wins and shares the record with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. He also missed the Grand Slam from victories in all four tournaments within one year – he was undefeated in 27 games in the majors of 2021. Then came the world number two Medvedev, immediately took the first serve from him, played the better tennis.
First Grand Slam title for Medvedev
“I’m sorry for Novak, I can’t imagine what he’s feeling,” said the 25-year-old Russian, who won his first Grand Slam on his third wedding anniversary. In the victory speech on the court, he let himself be carried away with an unusual confession: “I’ve never said that to anyone, but I’m saying it to you now: For me you are the greatest tennis player in history.”
Rod Laver, who won all Grand Slam tournaments in 1969 and was a guest in the stands, remains the last man to succeed in this coup. The last woman is Steffi Graf, who even managed the Golden Slam including Olympic gold in 1988. “Simply amazing”, Laver later described Medvedev’s performance and called to Djokovic via Twitter: “Take your heart, Novak, the pursuit continues. Best wishes.” It seems unlikely that Djokovic will come so close to the Grand Slam again, given the growing strength of the younger generation.
Two days after beating Alexander Zverev in the semi-final, it quickly became clear that Djokovic had the strongest possible opponent in Medvedev. The Russian won the first set in just 36 minutes, and the audience cheering for the Serbs did not disturb him.
Djokovic: “had no legs”
Djokovic, on the other hand, was pissed off, frustrated and destroyed a bat in the second set. After 90 minutes Djokovic had also lost this round. “I didn’t have any legs. I tried. My game just wasn’t there, ”said Djokovic from a distance and repeated his congratulations to Medvedev. «He was great. Mentality, approach, his game, everything. He was absolutely the better player and deserved to win. No doubt.”
Thanks to the triumphs of 18-year-old Briton Emma Raducanu and von Medvedev, there were premier winners at a Grand Slam tournament for women and men for the first time since the 2004 French Open. After the Austrian Dominic Thiem a year ago, Medvedev is now the next of the next generation to have won a major tournament – and the first to do so against one of the big three Djokovic, Nadal and Federer.
To have won against this opponent in this situation that day made the triumph even more special for the excellently tempered Russian. «He was on his way to making history. Knowing that I stopped him makes it absolutely sweeter, ”said Medvedev.
“Russians know how to party,” said Medvedev. “I hope I won’t be on the news. If it does, it will be a good way. I will definitely celebrate the coming days. ”
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210913-99-194192 / 10
<!– image – Novak Djokovic – Novak Djokovic – John Minchillo –>
<!– image – Daniil Medwedew mit Pokal – Daniil Medwedew mit Pokal – John Minchillo –>
<!– image – Daniil Medwedew – Daniil Medwedew – John Minchillo –>
.
