Novak Djokovic won his fourth Wimbledon Grand Slam after emerging victorious against Daniil Medvedev in the US Open 2023 final on Sunday. The champ lost his shot to Daniil in a three-set final back in 2021, as Djokovic avenged his loss to Medvedev two years later. Having missed the 2022 edition due to being refused entry into the US due to his stance on the COVID-19 vaccine, which conflicted with US government regulations, this victory meant a lot for the Serbian tennis player.🏆🏆NOVAK🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/yZcbkkXsIT— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2023Novak engraves his name in historyDjokovic defeated the 27-year-old on Sunday night in New York in front of a large audience at the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Serb finished with 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-3 to win his 24th major championship and surpass the famous Serena Williams with one more major singles trophy. He also became the first player to accomplish the feat in the Open era, which began in 1968. This marks the four-time champs first slam victory in New York since 2018.(Image credit: Twitter/x)Decoding the matchDespite showing symptoms of exhaustion throughout the match and slumping to the floor at the end of one of those lengthy rallies, Djokovic did what he does best, which is to find a way to battle back and prevail victorious. The worlds No. 1 player won a nail-biting second set that lasted 104 minutes after saving a set point.24 and counting for Novak Djokovic! pic.twitter.com/JHBdaR98Qs— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2023The present, past, and futureTwo months prior, Djokovic suffered a sad loss to Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final, losing in five sets to be denied that 24th Major. After a protracted layoff, during which he vacationed with his family, he subsequently made a thunderous comeback to action. He exacted revenge on Alcaraz for the defeat he suffered in the Cincinnati final, and he continued his incredible play to record a 12-match winning run. The 96-time tour-level champion has now won three major championships in his career, which also occurred in 2011, 2015, and 2021.The first set in motionDjokovic did not push himself too far forward against the world No. 3, On Sunday. choosing instead to use a serve-and-volley strategy to take advantage of Medvedevs deep return position. Djokovic took an early lead in the match, breaking in the first return game to race to a 3-0 lead. He used the strategy in the first set five times, winning four of those matches.Wow. Wow. Wow.What a point from Medvedev and Djokovic. pic.twitter.com/ACead1jHzF— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2023The second set brings the thrillIn the second set, which had the most drama, especially when it was tied at 3-3, a worn-out Djokovic tried to cut the duration of the exchanges, which had been an average of 6.5 shots up until that moment. Medvedev had the advantage (26-18) in rallies lasting more than nine shots. Medvedev made more drop shots, while Djokovic frequently approached the net.What a set! One hour and 45 minutes later, Djokovic has a 2-set lead. pic.twitter.com/tTiPFhRihW— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2023The true drama occurred in the second set when a worn-out Djokovic tried to cut the points short. Up until that time, rallies had an average length of 6.5 shots, with Medvedev holding the advantage (26-18) in exchanges longer than nine shots. Although Djokovics increased use of drop shots and closer approaches to the net hinted at a potential comeback, Medvedevs prolonged rallies hinted at a potential comeback in the match. Later, he also held a set point before going down two sets.The third set retracts the champWhen Medvedev won the break back soon after being broken early in the third set but failed to take advantage of it, there was still some chance. No further chances were presented, as Djokovic successfully held serve the entire time to win his fourth US Open championship.Novak delivers with the backhand!He earns the break back in the third set. pic.twitter.com/Y25LIfohr3— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2023Novak is once again the king in Queens! pic.twitter.com/fCMHACdGJL— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2023Novak hoists the 🏆 once again in New York! pic.twitter.com/LmZGzxT4Tp— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 11, 2023Novaks Tribute to Kobe BryantThe champ, after his win, unzipped his jacket to unveil a T-shirt bearing a photo of him and late NBA star Kobe Bryant – who famously wore number 24 – with the message “Mamba Forever”.Novak hits 24 and pays tribute to the late Kobe Bryant 💙 pic.twitter.com/rDXVUvYe1Z— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 10, 2023Djokovic said, “I thought of doing this T-shirt if I won the tournament about seven days ago. I didnt share it with anyone up to a few days ago when I asked my people to help me out to make these shirts.”Novak shares the idea behind his tribute to Kobe 🗣 pic.twitter.com/aFd7xStqVx— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 11, 2023He added, “Kobe was a close friend. We chatted a lot about the winners mentality. When I was struggling with an injury and trying to make my comeback to the top of the game… He was one of the people that I relied on the most. He was always there for any kind of advice or support in a friendly way. What happened to him and his daughter passing by hurt me deeply.”He ended by mentioning, “Of course, what happened a few years ago with him and his daughter passing hurt me deeply. I thought, 24 is the jersey that he wore when he became a legend of the Lakers and of world basketball. I thought it could be a nice, symbolic thing to acknowledge him for all the things hes done.”Kobe Bryant, the basketball all-star, passed away on January 26, 2020, leaving a void in the NBA fraternity.
