He did not make it!
Novak Djokovic (34) lost the final of the US Open and thus missed the Grand Slam, the victory in all four major tournaments in a calendar year. Against Daniil Medvedev (25) the Serbian lost 4: 6, 4: 6, 4: 6.
For the number 1 in the world it is the second heavy sporting blow after the semi-final defeat against Alexander Zverev (24) at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. This made winning the Golden Slam, Grand Slam plus Olympic victory impossible.
Photo: Sarah Stier / AFP
“data-zoom-src =” https://bilder.bild.de/fotos/nach-zwei-verloren-grand-slam-finals-kann-daniil-medwedew-nun-endet-jubeln-55b840bb47b44fb2b6559bd21952c2c0-77659098/Bild/ 3.bild.jpg “/> After two lost Grand Slam finals, Daniil Medvedev can finally celebratePhoto: Sarah Stier / AFP
So now he didn’t make the Grand Slam either. After the match he sat blankly on his bench, as if he couldn’t believe what had just happened. “To be honest: I was glad that it was over. Mentally and emotionally, the last few weeks have been very tough. But of course I was also sad and disappointed. “
Medvedev, the number 2 in the world, had opened up all possibilities for Djokovic to get back into the match in the third set. In the first two match balls, the Russian served a total of three double faults. From 1: 5 Djokovic came up to 4: 5 before the third match point sat. It is the first Grand Slam title for Medvedev, who lost to Djokovic in the final of the Australian Open in February.
Medvedev played very disciplined and smart against the favorites. Djokovic hardly found a remedy against his opponent. The 20-time Grand Slam tournament winner Medvedev only took the serve once, too little.
After the game, big tears flowed after 27 victories in Grand Slam matches in a row. “Daniil delivered an incredible tournament. He fully deserved the title ”, congratulated Djokovic fairly and had to suppress tears again and again.
<img class="photo ondemand zoomable" src="https://bilder.bild.de/fotos-skaliert/gequaeltes-laecheln-bei-der-siegerehrung-novak-djokovic-l–und-daniil-medwedew-der-sich-noch-nicht-s-aa63f4898ff04e10a299438cbe1ab853-77659104/3,w=1280,c=0.bild.jpg" width="1280" alt="Gequältes Lächeln bei der Siegerehrung! Novak Djokovic (l.) und Daniil Medwedew, der sich noch nicht so richtig freuen kann" data-zoom-title="Gequältes Lächeln bei der Siegerehrung! Novak Djokovic (l.) und Daniil Medwedew, der sich noch nicht so richtig freuen kann
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Tormented smile at the award ceremony! Novak Djokovic (left) and Daniil Medvedev, who is not really happy yetPhoto: John Minchillo / AP
“Despite the defeat, I’m a happy person because the fans touched my soul and my heart in a way I have never seen or expected in New York,” he said of the 24,000 visitors at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Especially in the third movement, they kept pushing him with “Novak, Novak” calls.
So Rod Laver (83), who watched the game in the stands, remains the only living Grand Slam winner. In 1962 and 1969, the Australian won in Melbourne, Paris, London and New York. The long deceased Donald Budge († 84 / USA) achieved the feat in 1938.
<img class="photo ondemand zoomable" src="https://bilder.bild.de/fotos-skaliert/rod-laver-mit-lebensgefaehrtin-susan-johnston-beim-finale-der-us-open-bdcee1b8ab964175aba7aa7dfffd366e-77659112/3,w=1280,c=0.bild.jpg" width="1280" alt="Rod Laver mit Lebensgefährtin Susan Johnston beim Finale der US Open" data-zoom-title="Rod Laver mit Lebensgefährtin Susan Johnston beim Finale der US Open
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Rod Laver with partner Susan Johnston at the finals of the US OpenFoto: Getty Images
Medvedev, who lost the US Open final to Rafael Nadal (35) in 2019, to Djokovic: “I haven’t said it to anyone: But for me you are the greatest tennis player in history.” bit up.
It got funny when Medvedev congratulated his wife Dasha on her third wedding anniversary. “There was just no time to buy a present. I didn’t want to get anything either. So I said to myself, then I just have to win the tournament. ”
The 2.1 million euros in prize money should be enough to buy her something nice. He then accepted the trophy from the hands of Stan Smith (74), US Open winner in 1971. It will not be the last in its current form.
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