Djokovic not setting any limit on Grand Slam titles

0

 


Novak Djokovic emerged from an exhilarating and exhausting U.S. Open final with a 24th Grand Slam title on Sunday night, using every ounce of his energy and some serve-and-volley guile to get past Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3 in a match that was more closely contested than the straight-set score indicated.

Djokovic, a 36-year-old from Serbia, moved one major singles title in front of Serena Williams to become the first player to win 24 in the Open era, which began in 1968. Margaret Court also collected a total of 24, but 13 of those came before professionals were admitted to the Slam events.

There were moments, particularly in the 1-hour, 44-minute second set that were as much about tenacity as talent, when Djokovic appeared to be faltering. After some of the most grueling points — and there were many — he would lean over with hands on knees or use his racket for support or pause to stretch his legs.

Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, sits on the court after a rally against Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, during the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships on Sunday in New York.

Manu Fernandez/AP

This triumph against Medvedev, the opponent who beat him in the 2021 final at Flushing Meadows to stop a bid for the first men's calendar-year Grand Slam in more than a half-century, made Djokovic the oldest male champion at the U.S. Open in the Open era.

"First of all, Novak, I want to ask: What are you still doing here?" Medvedev joked during the trophy presentation.

Djokovic's fourth championship in New York, where he was unable to compete a year ago because he wasn't vaccinated against COVID-19, goes alongside his 10 trophies from the Australian Open, seven from Wimbledon, and three from the French Open, extending his lead on the men's Slam list. Rafael Nadal, who has been sidelined since January with a hip problem that required surgery, is next with 22; Roger Federer, who announced his retirement a year ago, finished with 20.



When it was over, Medvedev tapped Djokovic on the chest as they chatted at the net. Djokovic flung his racket away, put his arms up, and then knelt on the court, with his head bowed. And then the celebration was on. First, he found his daughter for a hug. His son and wife came next, along with his team.

Soon, Djokovic was donning a shirt with "24" and "Mamba Forever" written on it as a tribute to the late NBA star Kobe Bryant, who wore that jersey number. And on top of that went a white jacket with the same significant number stamped on the chest.

As good as ever, Djokovic went 27-1 in the sport's most prestigious events this season: The lone blemish was a loss to Carlos Alcaraz in the final at Wimbledon in July. Djokovic will rise to No. 1 in the rankings on Monday, overtaking Alcaraz, who was the defending champion at Flushing Meadows but was eliminated by No. 3 Medvedev.

At the start of Sunday, with the Arthur Ashe Stadium retractable roof shut because of rain in the forecast, Djokovic was comfortable as can be. No sign of the occasion weighing on him, no trace of the tension he acknowledged briefly arose late in his semifinal against unseeded American Ben Shelton.

His exemplary movement was as good as ever, and with every stroke, Djokovic came out as his best self. He grabbed 12 of the first 16 points - three via aces perfectly placed, and with pace, and four via exchanges that lasted 10 strokes or more - along the way to leads of 3-0 and 4-1.

Medvedev, in contrast, seemed tight, and jittery, the looping swings of his white racket breaking down repeatedly, whether on a trio of double-faults in the opening set or during the lengthier points, other than on one 37-shot back-and-forth that ended when Djokovic blinked, stumbling as he flubbed a backhand.

Beyond that, though, Djokovic was as reliable as a metronome, anticipating nearly everything headed his way and scurrying this way and that to retrieve and respond, as is his wont.

It was the outcome that many have demanded for weeks: Luis Rubiales, the embattled president of Spain's soccer federation, has left his job.

Rubiales said in a video of an interview released on Sunday that he was resigning "cause I cannot continue my work."

He told interviewer Piers Morgan that friends and family had told him "to focus on your dignity and to continue your life, cause if not, probably you are going to damage people you love."

Spain's soccer federation confirmed hours later that Rubiales had submitted his resignation and had also left his position as vice president of UEFA, the Union of European Football Associations.

The furor started immediately following Rubiales' actions at the Women's World Cup final in late August. Following Spain's win in Sydney, Rubiales placed an unsolicited kiss on the mouth of star player Jenni Hermoso, lifted player Athenea del Castillo over his shoulder and carried her around, and made a crotch-grabbing gesture a few feet away from the Queen of Spain and her teenage daughter.

Criticism followed from nearly all sides: Spanish politicians on the right and left. Soccer players around the world, both female and male. FIFA announced a 90-day provisional suspension as it began disciplinary proceedings against him.

Rubiales claimed that the kiss was mutual and consensual, which Hermoso flatly denied — she says she never consented, and was "the victim of aggression." Hermoso has filed a formal complaint against Rubiales, as part of an investigation by Spain's High Court prosecutor into whether Rubiales committed an act of sexual aggression.

The Spanish soccer federation, RFEF, demanded that Rubiales resign, and released a statement "apologizing to the football world" and declaring that Rubiales "has tarnished our national team, our football and our society."

Dozens of top Spanish women's players said they would refuse to play for Spain until its current leaders were removed. Women's national team coach Jorge Vilda, a close ally of Rubiales and unpopular with the team, was dismissed by the federation on Sept. 5. Vilda called the sacking "unfair" and undeserved, coming just two weeks after winning the Women's World Cup.

Montse Tomé was announced as the team's new coach. A former player, Tomé had been an assistant to Vilda since 2018. She will be the first woman in the role in Spain.

Post a Comment

Previous Post Next Post