In 2021, Medvedev prevented Djokovic from achieving a historic moment.
As in 2021, Novak Djokovic is playing this Sunday, September 10th, for history: he aims to win his 24th major title at the US Open to equal Margaret Court’s absolute record. However, just like two years ago, he will once again face Daniil Medvedev, who had prevented him from achieving a calendar Grand Slam. This defeat in 2021 is one of the most traumatic of his career. Djokovic, whose pursuit of records has become his reason for living on the circuit, was only three sets away from becoming the first player to win all four Majors in the same year since Rod Laver in 1969.
Je ne peux pas reformuler.
« Overwhelmed by emotions, » according to his confession – he even cried on the court during a changeover towards the end of the match – the Djoker was unable to bring his best level against Medvedev. This time, while he has once again reached the finals of all four Majors of the season but is no longer in contention for the Grand Slam, he is trying to adopt a different mindset by downplaying the significance of a potential victory.
« I am aware that every time I play a Grand Slam final, it is an opportunity to make history in tennis, and I am proud of it. However, I do not have the time, and I forbid myself from thinking too much about the historical aspect, » Djokovic assures.
Especially considering that Margaret Court’s record, he thought he could secure it in July at Wimbledon during the first Grand Slam final duel against Carlos Alcaraz.
« I came very close to reaching the quarterfinals in London, but I lost to a stronger opponent in a tight five-set final, » he recalls, as he entered the grass tournament undefeated since his defeat in the quarterfinals in 2017. At Flushing Meadows, he will face Medvedev, who also ended a historic streak of 27 consecutive wins in Grand Slam matches this season. The Russian eliminated Alcaraz in the semifinals, showcasing his strength on hard court, his favorite surface.
Since 2018, the Russian team has had the best record on this surface.
He will present himself on Sunday with the best record on this surface of the season and even the past five years: he has 38 victories in 2023 (4 titles in Rotterdam, Doha, Dubai, and Miami) and since 2018, he is the most awarded player with 18 titles including the US Open 2021, 28 finals including the US Open 2023 and 2019, as well as the Australian Open 2021 and 2022, and 234 matches won.
The Russian, however, is very wary of the Serbian who will play his tenth American final (equaling Bill Tilden’s record), his 36th in Grand Slam tournaments (a new record with a five-length lead over Roger Federer now). « Every time, he is stronger than in the previous match, » explains Medvedev. « In 2021, I beat him at the US Open and the next time he beat me at Bercy. He lost to Alcaraz at Wimbledon and then beat him in Cincinnati. I will face the best possible Novak on Sunday and I will have to be at a level that I have never reached before if I want to try to beat him, » says the Russian.
Djokovic (36 ans) et Medvedev (27 ans) se sont déjà affrontés 14 fois, avec neuf victoires pour le Serbe. Alors sur le plan tactique, les deux joueurs savent à quoi s’attendre.
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