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New York: World number one Novak Djokovic bursts into tears when his dream of a calendar slam falls with his defeat in the US Open final. “Congratulations, it’s all over,” Djokovic said after the defeat to Russia’s world number two Danil Medvedev.
Medvedev, playing in his third Grand Slam final, at last hoisted a trophy while avenging a straight sets defeat by Djokovic earlier this year in the Australian Open final.
Djokovic, the 34-year-old Serb was trying to become the first man in over a half-century to win all four majors (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, U.S. Open) in the same year.
Following this, Medvedev apologized to Djokovic at the awards ceremony for losing the record. ‘Sorry for Joko and the fans. Because everyone knows what Joko was aiming for. I would say you are the best player in history considering your career achievements’ – Medvedev’s words. Joko Wenger has won four Grand Slam titles, the Wimbledon, the Australian Open, the French Open and the US Open in the same year (calendar slam). Fans also witnessed the sight of Joko hitting the racquet under extreme pressure from the start of the match. Djokovic dropped his first calendar slam achievement since 1969 at Arthur Ashe Stadium. ‘Excessive stress over the last 2 weeks has affected performance. Many things were beyond my means. There is relief and despair at the end of it all. “Thanks to the fans who supported me at the crucial moment,” Djokovic said after the match.
The incident happened after he lost points in the second set. The 34-year-old Joko lost 6–4, 6–4, 6–4. Djokovic, who has won 20 men’s Grand Slam singles titles, is now on par with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Medvedev, meanwhile, won his first career Grand Slam title. This is the first time since Marat Saf (2005 Australian Open) that a Russian male has won a Grand Slam title.
This is Medvedev’s first Grand Slam title. It has been 21 years since a Russian player became a US tennis champion. Had he won the final, Djokovic would have won the record for most Grand Slam titles won by a man with the 21st Grand Slam title. Serbia’s Djokovic currently holds 20 Grand Slam singles titles with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Joko also lost the calendar slam achievement of winning all the Grand Slam titles in a year with the final defeat. . Having achieved the calendar slam, Joko would have become the first male player to achieve this feat after Don Budge (1938) and Rod Laver (1969). Serena Williams also lost the calendar slam in 2015 when she lost in the US Open final.
For the fifth consecutive match, Djokovic found himself in an early hole after dropping the first set.
But this time there would be no way out as the rampaging Russian kept up the pressure with a barrage of aces while allowing Djokovic a single break.
Such was Medvedev’s domination that the only tiny bit of drama came late in the third set when the Russian was suddenly hit by a bout of nerves trying to close out the match.
Serving at 5-2 Medvedev double faulted on match point, allowing Djokovic to secure his break.
After the top seed held serve to trim the deficit to 5-4 Medvedev again had match point and again double faulted.
But the 25-year-old did not squander another chance, gathering himself to clinch the title on his third attempt.
