US Open23 : Djokovic wins 4th US Open at 36 , equals 24 slams record of Margaret Court

  

Daniil Medvedev said that Novak Djokovic improves every match.  So even if he lost in the US Open final in 2021against Djokovic , he will have to fight harder this time.  The words of the Russian tennis star came true.  Joker won.  He won with a smile.  Djokovic won the last Grand Slam of the year 6-3, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3.  He won the 24th Grand Slam.  Touched Margaret Court's record.  Also Djokovic becomes the oldest US Open champion at 36 & still looks at near his best . 

 Djokovic lost to Medvedev at Arthur Ashe Stadium two years ago when he missed his calendar slam .  The owner of 23 Grand Slams was left to avenge that match.  Djokovic broke Medvedev's service at the beginning of the first set in the fight to win the 24th Grand Slam.  He won that set 6-3 with impeccable tennis , hitting good serves accurate baseline shots and fabulous volleys playing the attacking brand which rattled his opponent .  36-year-old Djokovic did not let Medvedev any opening in the first set.

 The second set was an epic thriller which ended in a  tiebreaker.  Djokovic and Medvedev fought in that set for an hour and 44 minutes.  They could not break each other's service.  Played  long rallies.  Djokovic steps forward to the net.  Medvedev was in danger.  But never leave the baseline.  Djokovic and Medvedev love to play from the baseline.  Djokovic was trying to shorten his points but Medvedev's strategy was to tire an ageing Djokovic  by involving him into rallies which he succeeded from 3-3 stage at 2nd set . After playing a very long rally , Djokovic looked physically drained and his legs were not moving well . Due to the pressure & fatigue  Djokovic double faulted twice in the second set.  Legs felt tight.  But he did not give up and showed enormous mental reserves for which he is so famous . He continued to hang on in every game , dragged it to a tiebreaker and won a very tight tiebreaker at 7-5 to decisively go 2  sets up and promptly took a 10 minute break to recharge himself physically and mentally.  

In the final set Djokovic was back at his better  physical condition but tried to keep the points shorter by playing more serves and volleys . Medvedev playing too behind from baseline helped Djokovic as they exchanged 3 breaks . 

Medvedev fell on the court in the middle of the fight in the final stage.  Djokovic reached out to him at the top of the net.  But Medvedev, who was lying on the ground, did not hold his hand.  The Russian tennis star is not willing to shake hands with the opponent before the end of the match.  The 27-year-old ran the baseline throughout the match.  He played the same kind of tennis.  Djokovic had no difficulty in understanding the style of the game.   

 Djokovic, taking  a break after the second set helped .  He came back with the mindset of finishing the match quickly.  If Djokovic wins the first two sets in a Grand Slam, he is impossible to beat.  His victory was certain on this day as well.  Despite beating  Carlos Alcaraz in  a hard fought  semifinal, Medvedev could not produce his best vs Djokovic who broke Medvedev decisively at 5-3 in the 3rd set  and closed the match on his serve at 6-3 to prove that he is indeed the greatest of all time . 

 Djokovic lost to Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final two months ago.  After losing that match, he won 12 consecutive matches.  He won three Grand Slams this year.  Djokovic has already overtaken Rafael Nadal (22) and Roger Federer (20) in the list of Grand Slam wins.  On this day, he touched Margaret Court, the owner of the Grand Slam in most singles regardless of men, women.  Djokovic can surpass her next season.  He is  becoming more skilful with time.  Medvedev advances to the final only to play Djokovic.  Others may be winning one or two Grand Slams in between, but Djokovic is still far ahead of the rest.  After losing to Alcaraz in an epic five setter at the Wimbledon final , Djokovic has won 12 straight matches . He avenged the Wimbledon loss by beating Alcaraz in a 3 set epic at Cincinnati masters just before the US Open and now he avenged his USOpen 2021 final defeat to Medvedev by beating him at the same event in 2023 . 

Medvedev was right , Djokovic is very good in avenging defeats .