He's also just the second player born in the 1990's to win a men's singles Grand Slam title after Dominic Thiem (born in 1993) defeated Alexander Zverev for the 2020 US Open title. Playing in just his third career Grand Slam final, Medvedev became the first player of his generation to defeat any of the 'Big Three' legends in a Grand Slam final. It turned out to be true that third time's a charm, for the 25-year-old Medvedev at least.
"For me, you are the greatest tennis player in the history," Medvedev turned and said to Djokovic. "Sorry for you fans and Novak because we all know what he was going for today." "It's the first time I'm so nervous saying my speech," Medvedev said during the post-match trophy ceremony. Medvedev finished the match with 16 aces, 38 winners and an 81 win percentage on his first serve. But, he regained composure and brushed off the tension to ultimately clinch the match on his third chance two games later. Medvedev missed his first championship point at 5-2, 40-30, and later lost another via double fault. It appeared that Medvedev had done some serious prep after the pair's last meeting at the Australian Open earlier this year in February where Djokovic dominated.ĭown 4-0 in the third set, Djokovic rallied to bring it to 5-4. Djokovic, perhaps fatigued or stunned by nerves, seemed slow in the outset of the match. With his impressive hard court speed - he's arguably the fastest on tour right now - Medvedev seemingly got to every ball, which left Djokovic scrambling to pick up the pieces after a few dropshots Medvedev managed to reach. His first and second serves were incredible and the only time Djokovic, one of the world's best returners, managed to break him came at 5-3 in the third set. Medvedev jumped out to a dominant start in the championship match. "I would like to say, that tonight, even though I have not won the match, my heart is filled with joy and I'm the happiest man alive because you guys made me feel very special on the court," Djokovic said after the loss, fighting back tears. Djokovic, did, however tie Federer for the most Grand Slam final appearances in history with 31. Both Nadal (35-years-old) and Federer (40-years-old) missed this year's US Open tournament with injuries. Djokovic, the youngest of the 'Big Three' at 34-years-old, has won eight of his 20 major championships in the last three years. Now, Djokovic will finish out this tennis season still tied with his 'Big Three' competitors at 20 Grand Slam titles each. With Sunday's victory, Medvedev also shut down Djokovic's chance (at least, this season) to overtake his rivals, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, for the all-time men's record of Grand Slam singles titles. Winning all four majors in a single tennis calendar year is rare and may not come again. Serena Williams came close in 2015 but was upset by Roberta Vinci in the US Open semifinals. Only five players in the history of tennis have won all four Grand Slams in a calendar year: Steffi Graf (1988), Margaret Court (1970), Maureen Connolly (1953), Don Budge (1938) and Laver (1962, 1969). It is Medvedev's first career Grand Slam singles title.ĭjokovic was attempting to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to complete the Grand Slam. With the win, Medvedev played spoiler to Djokovic's bid to become the first man in 52 years to win all four majors - the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open - in the same year, also known as the calendar-year Grand Slam. Daniil Medvedev defeated Novak Djokovic in dominant fashion, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, to win the men's singles title at the 2021 US Open.