As Novak Djokovic lifted the glowing US Open trophy for the fourth time in his unbeatable profession on Sunday night, his defeated opponent, Daniil Medvedev, could possibly be forgiven for questioning what may need been if the Serbian celebrity merely wasn't round anymore.

The Russian had already demonstrated his credentials on the courts of New York by beating Wimbledon champion and now former world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz within the semi-finals to arrange a repeat of the 2021 Flushing Meadows last in opposition to Djokovic.

Medvedev was the shock winner two years in the past, however that Grand Slam triumph has been the exception to the rule to this point on the subject of having his identify etched into tennis' most prized pots.

In 5 profession Grand Slam appearances, the 27-year-old has misplaced the opposite 4. Twice to Rafael Nadal and twice to Djokovic. Having a top-flight tennis profession in the identical interval as two of the best athletes to ever decide up a racket might be robust going.

But whereas Medvedev would virtually definitely have extra Grand Slams to his identify had it not been for the presence of Nadal and Djokovic, who now have 46 main titles between them, the 6ft 6" ace is grateful to have not only tested himself against the greatest players of all time but also for the help and encouragement he has had from Djokovic along the way.

Speaking on the court of Arthur Ashe Stadium following his 3–6, 6–7 (5–7), 3–6 defeat, Medvedev said: “On the one hand, I can say that it has been impressive to beat Novak in a Grand Slam final, so far it is the peak of my career. But if he and Rafa did not exist, which is not possible, I have played five finals against them and I have only been able to win one.

"Novak pushes me to be higher. When I met him, being five hundredth on the planet, he was very good to me, he handled me like a traditional particular person and he shocked me. And he continues to do it, nothing has modified, it would not matter that he has 24 Grand Slams. That's a terrific factor to say about an individual.”

Medvedev quickly realised what kind of night he could possibly be in for when Djokovic broke him in his very first service recreation to then race right into a 3-0 lead. After dropping the primary set 6-3 the Russian supplied a lot stiffer resistance within the second. He pressured a tie-break which the Serb would in the end win. That set would final 1 hour and 44 minutes.

Djokovic had regarded fatigued however successful the essential second set had given him the additional carry that he wanted to get the job executed. Although the pair exchanged breaks early within the third set it was the veteran who took management, closing out the match to safe his record-breaking twenty fourth slam title.

"I want to ask Novak, what are you still doing here?! When are you planning to slow down a little bit?" added Medvedev.

"I feel like I've not had a bad career and I've won 20 titles, but you've won 24 Grand Slams - wow."