Novak Djokovic cried throughout 2021 US Open last and Daniil Medvedev ‘felt sorry’
Novak Djokovic was diminished to tears throughout his 2021 US Open defeat towards Daniil Medvedev. The duo will meet once more within the showdown on Sunday contained in the Arthur Ashe Stadium, the place there are prone to be some emotional recollections for the 23-times Grand Slam champion.
Djokovic was heading in the right direction for a calendar slam heading into the ultimate main of the yr. The tennis icon had gained the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the French Open – and hoped to finish a uncommon feat at Flushing Meadows.
However, he was in the end surprised by Medvedev on Arthur Ashe, with the Russian profitable in straight units that every one ended 6-4. It was a match largely overshadowed by the super feat of Emma Raducanu, who gained the ladies’s singles last 24 hours earlier.
But it was an emotional second for Djokovic, who admitted to crying on the courtroom. He had obtained a standing ovation as Medvedev served for the match, whereas some supporters chanted: “Nole! Nole! Nole!”
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“I felt something I never felt in my life here in New York,” Djokovic defined afterwards.
“The crowd made me very special. They pleasantly surprised me. I did not expect anything, but the amount of support and energy and love I got from the crowd was something that I’ll remember forever.
“That’s the reason on the changeover I just teared up. The emotion, the energy was so strong. It’s as strong as winning 21 grand slams. That’s how I felt, honestly. I felt very, very special. They touched my heart, honestly.
“In the end of the day you want to win. You’re a professional athlete. These are the kind of moments that you cherish. These are connections that you establish with people that will be lasting for a very long time. It was just wonderful.”
Medvedev, whose triumph sealed his first and solely Grand Slam success thus far, admitted he felt ‘sorry’ for Djokovic. The present World No 3 revealed he had needed Djokovic to finish the calendar slam.
“At the same time, I have my name a little bit in the history,” Medvedev mirrored. “I didn’t let him win the calendar year Grand Slam and I feel really sorry for him because I would, in a way, like him to do it.”