![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/newsletter\/sport\/sport-135x135.png\")
<\/p>\nNovak Djokovic celebrates after defeating Daniil Medvedev<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Novak Djokovic secured his 24th grand slam title and became the oldest US Open champion in the Open era after a gruelling victory over Daniil Medvedev.<\/p>\n
The 36-year-old Serbian, who is back up to world number one, beat third seed Medvedev 6-3 7-6 (5) 6-3 for a fourth Flushing Meadows crown.<\/p>\n
The match hinged on a marathon second set lasting 104 minutes, which was longer than both players\u2019 entire first-round matches.<\/p>\n
Djokovic won it after a tie-break to move 2-0 up and finally break Medvedev\u2019s spirit, going on to gain a measure of revenge after the Russian denied him the calendar grand slam in the final here two years ago.<\/p>\n
The win also moved him level with Margaret Court\u2019s record of major titles, although really that is a statistical irrelevance given the obvious difference in the level and depth of competition between now and the 1960s.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/09\/11\/01\/2023-09-11T000210Z_931375931_UP1EJ9B003K0H_RTRMADP_3_TENNIS-USOPEN.JPG\")
\n![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/09\/10\/22\/newFile-2.jpg\")
\n![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/09\/10\/04\/09-8efd54ed05f84b0a988cb5d8cd0d324c.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Of more importance to Djokovic is his record against his peers; he is now two clear of Rafael Nadal\u2019s 22 grand slam crowns and four ahead of Roger Federer, who declared on 20 last year.<\/p>\n
Having already won in Australia and Paris, Djokovic has picked up three major titles in a year for the fourth time in his career. Only the five-set defeat by Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final blemished his 2023 record.<\/p>\n
Now he has surpassed Ken Rosewall, who was 35 when he won in 1970, and who did not have to contend with any sets lasting almost an hour and a quarter.<\/p>\n
Djokovic, who missed last year\u2019s championships due to his vaccine status, wore a tracksuit top adorned with the number 24 \u2013 which presumably would not have seen the light of day had he lost \u2013 for the trophy presentation.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/mobile-stores\/Amazon_Prime.svg\")
<\/p>\n
Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video<\/p>\n
Sign up now for a 30-day free trial<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video<\/p>\n
Sign up now for a 30-day free trial<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cI don\u2019t know where to start, it obviously means the world to me. I\u2019m really living my childhood dream to compete at the highest level in a sport that has given me and my family so much.<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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?\u201d<\/p>\n
A Medvedev double-fault and a blistering backhand winner down the line gave Djokovic the early break point which he converted to love to subsequently take the first set in a relatively speedy 48 minutes.<\/p>\n
But Medvedev, returning from about a quarter-of-a-mile behind the baseline, made Djokovic toil in the second set and it began to show with the favourite showing signs of fatigue.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/09\/11\/01\/AFP_33UW3GU.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic (R) poses with the trophy after defeating Russia’s Daniil Medvedev<\/p>\n
After an hour and three quarters he produced his first break point of the match but Djokovic, with an obvious change of game plan in a bid to shorten the points, expertly snuffed it out with a big serve and an immaculate volley.<\/p>\n
Medvedev had set point on the Djokovic serve but another volley at the net dealt with that, and when tie-break slipped away from the 27-year-old, the match soon followed.<\/p>\n
Medvedev said: \u201cFirst of all I want to ask Novak what are you still doing here? I mean come on.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/09\/09\/18\/09-55ad2272a47f40ff8ca365adf669ccd2.jpg\")
\n![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/09\/09\/04\/09-c40b61cb8e6b43baa562fee6e156a1ba.jpg\")
\n![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/09\/09\/04\/09-a7e543ebf4d94533b3f692879affb1f3.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know when you are planning to slow down a little bit. I feel like I have a good career, I have 20 titles, but you have 24 grand slams. Wow!\u201d<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/09\/11\/01\/1672770823.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns a shot against Daniil Medvedev of Russia<\/p>\n