Novak Djokovic is entering unchartered territory, and going where no athlete has gone before.
Novak Djokovic wrote another chapter in his remarkable story on Sunday by winning his record-equalling 24th Grand Slam by reclaiming the US Open title.
The new world No.1 drew level with Margaret Court a year after missing the event here in New York for his refusal to get a Covid 19 vaccine – and two years after losing the final here to Daniil Medvedev in tears.
He officially returns to world No.1 in the rankings on Monday.
And a seemingly inevitable 25th Major title in Melbourne in January – where he has already won 10 Australian Open titles – will see him become statistically the greatest tennis player of all time.
Then it will be just a question of how long the 36-year-old will want to carry on his career and make more history.
ESPN analyst John McEnroe said: “He is one of the most remarkable athletes you will see in any sport in every way possible
“The drive, the hunger, the will he still has after all his achievements is crazy. He is one in a billion.
I love Roger, I idolized Rod Laver. I have the greatest respect for Rafa Nadal who gives more of an effort consistently. But this guy. I don’t even know where to begin. You just have to admire him.”
The Serbian superstar returned to win the Australian Open in January only 12 months on from his deportation.
Carlos Alcaraz stopped his latest bid to complete a calendar Grand Slam in an epic Wimbledon final but the Spaniard was stopped by Daniil Medvedev.
Djokovic reached his fourth Major final here – and overcame physical issues to out-lasted the Russian world No.3 6-3 7-6 6-2 in three hours and 17 minutes.
Full of lung-busting rallies – one first set exchange lasted a tournament high of 36 shots – this re-match of the 2021 final was decided by a 104-minute second set which Djokovic finally took on a tiebreak. The set lasted longer than both their first round matches here – and almost as long as the Truss government.
source : .express.co.uk
