By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Sunday, September 10, 2024
NEW YORK—A resurgent Novak Djokovic reclaimed the US Open championship in a win for the ages.
The 36-year-old Serbian superstar defeated Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-3 to become the oldest man in Open Era history to win the US Open. Djokovic captured his 24th Grand Slam title matching Margaret Court’s all-time major mark.
More: Djokovic Captures 24th Grand Slam Title
This title transcends tennis, says Djokovic’s coach, Goran Ivanisevic.
Djokovic’s 24th major title will go down as one of the greatest achievements in sports history given his longevity and quality of opponents he’s conquered to do it, says Ivanisevic.
“He’s a genius. He’s one of kind,” Ivanisevic said of Djokovic. Not too many people in this world like him in sport-wise.
“This is one of the biggest achievement in the sport history. We’re not talking about tennis. We are talking generally in sport.
“He’s a winner. He’s the guy who is motivating self. He had luck to have a guy like Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer, they came before him, so they pushed each other.”
Two of the most astounding aspects of Djokovic winning his fourth US Open: He has reached a record 36 Grand Slam finals in 72 total major appearances and he’s now 12-3 in major finals contested in his 30s.
Defiance and Djokovic’s constant commitment to improvement are essential elements to his success, Ivanisevic said.
“He’s a born winner. For him, when you tell him he cannot do something, it’s even worse,” Ivanisevic said. “Then he’s going to show you that he can do it. It’s no excuses. He always try to find a way how to win, how to fight, even when he’s not feeling well, injured, not injured.
“It’s just something I cannot say that we all like that from Balkans, because we are not. But he’s one of kind, and that’s why he’s the best. He’s something that who knows when ever is going to be born, you know, sportsman like that.”
In Djokovic’s ongoing pursuit of perfection, there is no finish line.
The reigning Australian Open, Roland Garros and US Open champion made history as the first man to win three Grand Slam titles in a season for the fourth time (2011, 2015, 2021).
What’s next for Djokovic?
It would seem there are four primary goals.
After collecting his 96th career title, Djokovic aims to:
*Secure the season-ending world No. 1 rank
*Win his 25th Grand Slam title to take sole possession of the all-time major record
*Capture 100 career championships
*Win a gold medal for Serbia at the Paris Olympic Games.
“If he wins 25, he’s going to think, If I win 25, why not 26? It’s always one more, something more,” Ivanisevic said. “He’s taking care of his body, he’s taking care of everything, every single detail has to be perfect, prepared. He’s never happy on the court. I don’t know if that’s good or bad, not good for us (smiling).
“Generally, you know, he just does drives him through and he wants more and more. That’s why he wants to everything perfect to be on the court, on the practice, and that’s why he has unbelievable results.”
Photo credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty
