‘What are you still doing here?’ Daniil Medvedev jokes Novak Djokovic will continue to dominate tennis and ‘be in many more finals’ after the Serb clinched a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam by winning the US Open
- Novak Djokovic beat Daniil Medvedev in straight sets in the US Open final
- The Serbian has now won a record 24th Grand Slam titles
- Sunday’s title was Djokovic’s fourth US Open crown and his first in five years
Daniil Medvedev believes Novak Djokovic will still be a regular presence in Grand Slam tournament finals for years to come, as he wondered whether the Serb ever plans to ‘slow down a bit’.
Djokovic won a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title on Sunday as he won a fourth US Open crown after beating Medvedev 6-3, 7-6, 6-3.
The Serb’s latest triumph at Flushing Meadows – the fourth of his career and the first in five years – drew him level with Margaret Court’s all-time record and moved two clear of Rafael Nadal.
And the Russian, who beat Djokovic in straight sets on the same stage two years ago, expects the 36-year-old to be around for a while yet.
‘First of all I want to ask Novak: “What are you still doing here? Come on!”,’ Medvedev joked during the trophy presentation at Arthur Ashe Stadium late on Sunday night.
Daniil Medvedev believes Novak Djokovic will continue to be a regular presence in Grand Slam tournament finals, despite being 36
The Serb won a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title on Sunday night in New York
‘Jokes apart, what is it? Our third final? Maybe not the last. I hope so, because you’re probably going to be in many more.
‘I don’t know when you are planning to slow down a little bit. Congrats to you and your team. I mean, 24 [Grand Slam titles].
‘I feel like I have not a bad career and I have 20 titles. You have 24 grand slams. Wow.’
Over the past 20 years, Roger Federer, Djokovic and Nadal have won 66 Grand Slam tournaments out of 80, starting with the Swiss’ triumph at Wimbledon in 2003.
Medvedev is one of only eight players outside the Big Three to have tasted victory in a major and reflected his career could have been far different in another era.
‘I find this amazing, that I beat Novak in a grand slam final, which probably at this moment is the pinnacle of my career,’ he said when asked of his 2021 triumph.
‘At the same time, maybe if he [Djokovic] and Rafa [Nadal] didn’t exist […] I played five finals against them and I only managed to win one! So I don’t know if it’s good or bad. But you know, [Djokovic] pushes me to be better.’
Djokovic, meanwhile, admitted equalling Court’s record was beyond his wildest dreams when he began his career.
‘To make the history of this sport is just something truly remarkable and special,’ he said.
The Russian joked his career would include a lot more titles if it wasn’t for Djokovic
Djokovic triumphed at Flushing Meadows in straight sets against the Russian
Medvedev had a set point in the second set but spurned his chance in the tie-break
‘In every possible way and in every possible meaning of the word special. It’s hard to describe in words. I had a childhood dream when I was seven or eight years old. I wanted to become the best player in the world and win Wimbledon trophy.
‘That was the only thing I wanted.
But when I realise that, obviously, I started to dream new dreams and set new objectives, new goals, I never imagined that I would be here talking about 24 Grand Slams.
‘I never thought that that would be the reality. But the last couple of years I felt I have a chance, I have a shot at history, and why not grab it if it’s presented?’
