‘Relief’: Djokovic’s bid for Years Slam ends in opposition to Medvedev

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One recreation from the top of his bid for what could be the primary calendar-year Grand Slam in males’s tennis since 1969, Novak Djokovic lined his face with a towel, hiding his tears throughout a change.

For 27 Grand Slam matches in 2021, Djokovic couldn’t be deterred, couldn’t be defeated on arduous court docket, clay court docket and grass. Needing one other win in opposition to Daniil Medvedev in Sunday’s US Open closing to finish a season sweep of main titles and declare his profession file twenty first, Djokovic couldn’t come.

Outplayed by somebody utilizing a method much like his personal, Djokovic got here simply in need of these two historic milestones, 6-4, 6-4, 6- over first-time main champion Medvedev at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Lost by 4.

What was on Djokovic’s thoughts as he sat on the sting, understanding full effectively that his discovery was moments from its conclusion?

“Relief. I used to be glad it was over, as a result of the buildup to this event, and mentally, emotionally, was numerous what I needed to undergo all through the event in the previous couple of weeks. It was quite a bit to deal with ,” Djokovic stated in his press convention.

“I was just happy that, finally, the run was over. At the same time, I also felt sadness, despair and gratitude for the crowd and for the special moment they have created for me on the court.”

As of Sunday, No. 1 ranked Djokovic was elegant in 4 of the game’s most essential tournaments, bearing the burden of expectations and stress over the previous seven months, and in New York, over the previous fortnight.

He received the Australian Open in February, defeating Medvedev in straight units within the closing, the French Open in June and Wimbledon in July, profitable 20 Grand Slam titles with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, essentially the most for a person in historical past. A recreation that dates again to the 1800s.

The final man to finish a real Grand Slam, scoring 4 for 4 within the Major in the identical season, is Rod Laver, who did it twice, in 1962 and 1969, and was within the stands on Sunday. The final lady to attain this feat was Steffi Graf in 1988.

Instead, Djokovic joined as males with Jack Crawford in 1933 and Lew Hoad in 1956, profitable the primary trio of Grand Slam tournaments of the 12 months and making the finals of the US Open earlier than shedding.

“I feel sorry for Novak, because I can’t imagine what he feels,” stated Medvedev, 25, from Russia.

“Knowing that I managed to stop him definitely makes it sweeter, and gives me confidence for times to come.”

The 34-year-old Djokovic of Serbia was removed from his finest on this special occasion.

“Just in terms of energy, I felt slow,” stated Djokovic, who hasn’t made the sort of return to Grand Slam motion this 12 months in every of his final 4 video games and 6 different matches when he dropped the opening set .

“I know I could, and should have done better,” he stated.

Djokovic made numerous errors, 38 sudden errors in all. He wasn’t capable of convert a break likelihood till it was too little, too late, going simply 1 for six. He additionally confirmed dismay, destroying his racket by pounding thrice in opposition to the court docket after one level, receiving a boon from a crowd of 25,703 and a code violation from chair umpire Damien Dumusois.

Djokovic additionally had numerous points with No. 2-ranked Medvedev, who used his 6-foot-6 (1.98-m) body to chase all the things down and reply with a seemingly easy groundstroke. , the best way Djokovic knocks down enemies and delivers pinpoint servings.

“He was amazing. Just congratulate him, full credit for his mindset, his attitude, his game, everything,” Djokovic stated.

“He was an absolutely superior player and deserved to win, no doubt about it.” Medvedev received 20 of his first 23 service factors, setting a sample. He completed with 16 aces and 38 winners, 11 greater than Djokovic. And Medvedev used the techniques of his coach Gilles Cervara, described as hitting extra balls in the midst of the court docket, reasonably than looking for the angles that Djokovic would decide up the balls on the run.

“He is so good that every match is different. He changes his strategy, he changes his approach,” Medvedev stated of Djokovic.

“I had a clear plan, which seemed to work. Was he at his best? Maybe not today. There was a lot of pressure on him,” stated Medvedev.

“I was under a lot of pressure too.”

The nerves, the distracting noise of the viewers, and the cramps in his legs that lastly reached Medvedev. He served 5–2 for the match and took one level from the win earlier than making two consecutive double faults. At 5-4, he had a second match level and double-faulted once more. On the following event, nonetheless, a 129 mph serve winner lastly bought the job accomplished, and Medvedev fell on the court docket along with his tongue hanging out, which he later advised was a objective celebration from a soccer online game. was impressed by.

During the trophy presentation, Medvedev addressed Djokovic, praising “what you have achieved this year and throughout your career” and saying, “I never said this to anyone, but I will say it now: to me, You are the greatest tennis player in history.”

In current years, there was fixed dialogue about which member of the so-called Big Three Federer, who turned 40 final month, Nadal, 35, or Djokovic, deserves to be thought of one of the best of the herd and “goat”. And the talk continues.

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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS

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