Sep 11 – On Sunday night, Serbian tennis legend Novak Djokovic made history by becoming the first person in the Open Era to win 24 Grand Slam trophies, tying Margaret Court for the most in history.
Djokovic won his fourth US Open title in straight sets, defeating Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-3. With the victory, the 36-year-old gained some US Open retribution two years after Medvedev denied him a Grand Slam at the final hurdle in the 2021 New York final.
Tennis legends such as Billie Jean King, Rod Laver, Juan Martin del Potro, and others congratulated the Serbian on his historic performance on social media.
“Congratulations to 24x Grand Slam champion @DjokerNole, the Men’s Singles Champion of the #USOpen,” American former world No. 1 Billie Jean King wrote on social media platform X.
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Australian great and former world no.1 Rod Laver said: “Well done again Novak, I’m sure 24 feels as great as one, especially when you have fought so hard to get where you are and to stay there against a growing tide of challengers. You were on high alert tonight against a quality player in Daniil. Take another bow, champ!”
“Undeniable greatness!!! What a legend,” two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka said.
“Idemo champion!!!” said Juan Martin del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion who overcame Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals and five-time defending champion Roger Federer in the final.
With his victory in his 36th major singles final, the 36-year-old Serb has became the first player to win three Grand Slam singles titles in a season four times (2011, 2015, 2021, and 2023). That number of finals also corresponds to the Serb’s age; at 36, he is the Open Era’s oldest US Open men’s singles champion.
Djokovic, who already holds the record for most men’s Grand Slam singles championships, goes two majors ahead of Rafael Nadal’s 22 and four ahead of Roger Federer’s 20.
Djokovic is now 12-3 in Grand Slam finals in his 30s, up from 12-9 in his 20s. Furthermore, he is now 4-6 in his record-tying ten US Open men’s singles finals.
