By Shaun Murphy-
Novak Djokovic made history on Sunday by winning his fourth US Open and record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title with a straight-sets victory against Daniil Medvedev.
For Djokovic, his 6-3 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 victory against Medvedev marked his fourth title in New York to become the oldest US Open champion in the Open Era.
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The 36-year-old Serbian, who is back to world No 1, won his third Grand Slam title of the year having won the Australian Open and French Open with his only blemish coming in an epic five-set defeat by Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final.
“I never imagined I would be standing here talking about 24 Slams. But the last couple of years I felt I had a chance, a shot at history, so why not grab it?
“I thought of doing this T-shirt, eventually, if I get the chance to win the tournament,” Djokovic continued. “Kobe was a close friend, we chatted a lot about the winner’s mentality.
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“When I was struggling with injury he was one of the people I relied on the most. He was always there for any kind of counsel, advice. I thought 24 is the jersey that he wore when he became a legend of Lakers and world basketball.”
The 36-year-old Serbian had previously broken a tie with rival Rafael Nadal for the most major singles trophies in the history of men’s tennis, dating as far back as the 1800s.
Nadal, a 14-time champion at Roland Garros, was absent from this year’s tournament because he is injured.
Second seed Djokovic looked physically troubled in that gruelling second set, but showed all the hallmarks of his greatness to win a fourth US Open title.
Djokovic, who surpassed Rafael Nadal’s record tally of 22 men’s major titles earlier this year, has matched Australia’s Court at the second attempt after losing the Wimbledon final in July.
He has won three of the four Grand Slam titles in 2023, becoming the first man to achieve this feat on four occasions.
Now the incoming world number one has the chance to surpass Court at January’s Australian Open – where he has already won a record 10 titles.
Last Friday, not only Djokovic’s on-court performance that garnered attention; his post-match imitation of Shelton’s celebration added intrigue and raised questions about the implications of this mimicked gesture.
With every match, Novak Djokovic had been inching closer to etching his name into the annals of tennis history. His semi-final clash against the young American talent, Ben Shelton, was a testament to his enduring greatness. Djokovic entered the match as the favorite and lived up to expectations as he clinched the first two sets with clinical precision.
The Serbian sensation’s masterclass was on full display as he exhibited his trademark resilience and versatility.
Djokavic impersonated Shelton after semi final victory and went on to win final
Djokovic’s ability to adapt to different opponents and court conditions is a hallmark of his career, and it was on vivid display during this encounter. Shelton’s powerful second serve, clocking in at an impressive 138mph, may have momentarily rattled Djokovic, but he swiftly regained control, demonstrating why he is considered one of the greatest players of all time.
Shelton’s Rise and Controversial Celebrations
Ben Shelton, the spirited American, has been making waves in the tennis world with his remarkable talent and captivating style. However, his recent victories have been accompanied by celebrations that some have deemed “too cocky.”
This criticism emerged following his win against Frances Tiafoe in the previous round, where Shelton’s post-match celebration garnered significant attention. His exuberance and confidence have made him a polarizing figure in the sport, drawing both admirers and detractors.
In the wake of his victory over Shelton, Novak Djokovic seized an opportunity to send a message to his young rival. The Serbian champion chose to mimic Shelton’s celebratory gesture, a clear indication that he believes the American talent still has much to learn and achieve before he can challenge the best in the game. Djokovic’s imitation added an intriguing layer to their budding rivalry, sparking discussions about sportsmanship, rivalry dynamics, and the psyche of competitive athletes.
Djokovic’s Pursuit of Records
Djokavic has now surpassed Ken Rosewall’s record, who was 35 when he won the title in 1970. Djokovic’s determination and drive to continuously raise the bar in the sport remain undiminished. As he looks ahead to his 10th US Open final, Djokovic conveys a sense of purpose, stating that he still feels he has more to offer to the sport.
The all-time great become the first male player to win 23 Grand Slam singles titles at French Open earlier this year – and joining Serena Williams at the highest peak of the sport. He will face Daniil Medvedev at Flushing Meadows on Sunday, 10 September, aiming to win his 24th title.
Djokovic won his 22nd title at the Australian Open earlier this year – matching the record held by Spain’s Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard has dominated the clay courts of the French Open for most of the 21st century but missed this year’s tournament due to injury.
While Djokovic’s journey to the final continues, Ben Shelton’s defeat extends America’s quest for a homegrown men’s champion. The United States has been awaiting a successor to Andy Roddick, who last claimed the US Open title in 2003. Shelton’s spirited performances have offered glimpses of hope, but the road to tennis glory remains challenging, with Djokovic and other formidable competitors standing in the way.
Novak Djokovic’s remarkable victory and celebration mimicry have added layers of intrigue to the 2023 US Open. As he inches closer to rewriting the record books, Djokovic’s rivalry with Shelton takes center stage, offering tennis enthusiasts an absorbing narrative of talent, competition, and sportsmanship.
A dialed-in Novak Djokovic disconnected Ben Shelton’s dream U.S. Open run in the semifinals on Friday, twisting the knife as he copied the young American’s favoured on-court celebration after clinching it in three sets.
The veteran Djokovic held off a late-match surge from the 20-year-old to reach his 10th U.S. Open final before he mimed answering the phone – and hanging up – to subvert the viral post-win gesture that Shelton has used in New York.
“I just love Ben’s celebration,” Djokovic told reporters with a grin.
“I thought it was very original, and I copied him. I stole his celebration.”
Shelton said he had not seen Djokovic’s move until after the match – but added that he would not tell another opponent how to celebrate.
“I think if you win the match, you deserve to do whatever you want,” said Shelton.
“You know, as a kid growing up, I always learned that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so that’s all I have to say about that.”
The move is one that Shelton borrowed himself from three-times 110 metres hurdles world champion Grant Holloway, who seemed pleased to have his celebration brought to New York as he reposted photos and footage of Shelton on social media.
“It’s kind of like I’m saying I’m dialed in,” Shelton explained earlier in the tournament, when asked about the celebration.
The big-hitting Shelton earned legions of fans from the home crowd, even as he knocked out two higher-ranked Americans – Tommy Paul and Frances Tiafoe – in the fourth round and the quarter-finals, respectively.
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“The two weeks as a whole was a good run for me. A lot of positives to take away for the rest of the year and going into next year,” said Shelton