Daniil Medvedev loves to play spoilsport. Two years ago, in New York, the Russian defied all predictions by winning his first (and for the moment only) Major title against Djokovic who was only three short sets behind. a historic calendar Grand Slam.
In 2022, the Muscovite trained in tennis on the Côte d’Azur took the place of world No. 1 after 18 years of unchallenged reign of the “Big Four”. And here he is again in the final of the US Open while everyone was waiting for a fourth clash this season between Djokovic and Alcaraz, THE duel that became a clasico in three short months…
At the end of a huge match, on a surface where he works wonders, Medvedev, 27, defeated the Spanish prodigy in the semi-final to secure his third American Sunday meeting in five years. “I was in the zone,” sums up No. 3 to the ATP to describe his performance. He will have to maintain this level on Sunday to overcome Djokovic, whom he has only beaten once in a Grand Slam. But he had chosen his day well…
Daniil Medvedev qualified for the 5th Grand Slam final of his career. Since the start of the 2000s, only 4 players have qualified for the final more:
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— Game, Set and Maths (@JeuSetMaths) September 9, 2023
“The only way to use my 2021 victory is to tell myself that Novak is never the same after a defeat,” he explains. He is different, he will have a different mentality. That’s why he won 23 Grand Slams and so many Masters 1000s (39). So I have to go on court knowing that he will be ten times better than that day and therefore, if I still want to beat him, I have to be ten times better than that day. This is what I will try to do. »
The Serbian, who has “only” won three times at Flushing Meadows (2011, 2015 and 2018), does not intend to miss the target after letting the Wimbledon crown slip away in July. At 36 years old, the Belgrade player is only aiming for these exceptional moments to sink a little deeper every day into the seat of best player in history.
“Novak has more fire in him than the other opponents I have played”
Ben Shelton, beaten by the Serb in the semi-final
Apart from a somewhat baroque 3rd round and a handicap of two sets to overcome against his compatriot Djere, the ex-future boss (he will resume his place as No. 1 on Monday morning whatever the outcome of the final) had a more than peaceful picture in his quest for a 24th Major.
“He sweats the competition in a way. And he’s like that the whole match, as if he was locked in, observes US revelation Ben Shelton, far too tender in the semi-final. I think Novak has more fire in him than other opponents I’ve played. »
Djokovic maintains this flame which will not burn forever. “I know perfectly well that each Grand Slam final can now be the last, I cannot say how many more I will play and obviously I do not see it in the same way as ten years ago, when I said to myself that I would have other opportunities to win, summarizes the winner of the Australian Open and Roland-Garros this season. I really understand the importance of that. At this stage of my career, I take it as a gift to play in a final and I try to make the most of it. »
A 24th coronation would put him on par with Margaret Court’s absolute record. “I understand that it’s another step in history, I’m very proud of that but I don’t have time to think about it too much,” he concedes. When I did, like here in 2021, I underperformed and I don’t want that to happen again. »
As a symbol of domination and longevity, Djokovic, who has therefore reached the four biggest Sunday posters of 2023 (as in 2015 and 2021) now has as many major finals as years in the civil registry… “I am not “Not really surprised because I know how much I work and the energy I put into finding myself in this position,” he says. I know I deserve it and I still believe in myself. I’m physically fine and as strong as I can be. If in the next few months or years, I don’t get my ass kicked… in the first few rounds, I’ll say ok it’s time to leave, but right now, I’m still in the game…”
