On the verge of making history at the US Open on Sunday, World No. 1 Novak Djokovic entered the Arthur Ashe stadium as a favourite to win his 21st major title and complete for a very rare Calendar Slam.
But his opponent, Daniil Medvedev, had other ideas, as he was exceedingly dominant and didn’t allow the Serb a chance to recover ever since breaking him in the first set.
From the beginning, the Russian pushed Djokovic from one end to the other, forcing him to make errors. In addition, considering his performances in the tournament, Medvedev was a deserving candidate for his first major victory.
Former and current tennis players reacted to Daniil Medvedev’s incredible victory over Novak Djokovic following the match, expressing their sorrow for the latter for missing out on a chance to capture 21 major titles.
Reaction to the US Open final
Iga Swiatek, a Polish player, was one of the first to react after the match, tweeting, “No… I’m not crying… I’M NOT CRYING… Ohh, who cares…”
No… I’m not crying… I’M NOT CRYING… Ohh, who cares… #usopen #Djokovic
— Iga Świątek (@iga_swiatek) September 12, 2021
Eugenie Bouchard, a Canadian tennis player, praised Novak for being so close to making history at the US Open.
She tweeted, “He was 1 MATCH AWAY from insane history!!!”
He was 1 MATCH AWAY from insane history!!! ???
— Genie Bouchard (@geniebouchard) September 12, 2021
Omg ???? I like Meddy don’t get me wrong but history would have been amazing. Novak is the GOAT and deserves it https://t.co/cihdy6PAuQ
— Genie Bouchard (@geniebouchard) September 12, 2021
Nicole Gibbs, a former tennis player, too, shared her delight at Djokovic’s reception at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“Moment of poetry for him to finally feel the type of support and love he’s been searching for in the moment of his most painful failure. Hopefully takes that feeling with him despite the incredible disappointment.”
Moment of poetry for him to finally feel the type of support and love he’s been searching for in the moment of his most painful failure. Hopefully takes that feeling with him despite the incredible disappointment. https://t.co/8qdR47i0Ii
— Nicole Gibbs (@Gibbsyyyy) September 12, 2021
Andy Roddick, the 2003 US Open champion, took to Twitter as well. “Flawless match strategy by Medvedev. He deserved the win today. We still need to acknowledge how phenomenal Novak was this year (and for 15 years) Was fun to watch. Congrats to both!!”
Flawless match strategy by Medvedev. He deserved the win today. We still need to acknowledge how phenomenal Novak was this year (and for 15 yesrs) Was fun to watch. Congrats to both!!
— andyroddick (@andyroddick) September 12, 2021
Paul McNamee, an ex-tennis player and Wimbledon doubles winner, lauded both players for putting on a fantastic display at the Arthur Ashe stadium.
“Today, for the first time this year, Djokovic is being outplayed by a guy who is fresher, hitting harder, serving better and believes his time has arrived. All you can say is ‘too good’. Great run at the Grand Slam Novak Djokovic, and well played Daniil Medvedev“, tweeted Paul.
Today, for the first time this year, Djokovic is being outplayed by a guy who is fresher, hitting harder, serving better and believes his time has arrived. All you can say is ‘too good’. Great run at the Grand Slam Novak Djokovic, and well played Daniil Medvedev.
— ?️ Paul McNamee (@PaulFMcNamee) September 12, 2021
Rod Laver, a legendary tennis player, also expressed his gratitude to Daniil Medvedev and Novak Djokovic.
“Simply stunning Daniil Medvedev, you stopped one of the greatest tonight. To win your first Grand Slam title is always special, to do it against a champion like Novak Djokovic is something else. Take heart Novak, the quest continues. Best wishes.”
Simply stunning Daniil Medvedev, you stopped one of the greatest tonight. To win your first Grand Slam title is always special, to do it against a champion like Novak Djokovic is something else. Take heart Novak, the quest continues. Best wishes, ?
— Rod Laver (@rodlaver) September 12, 2021
Juan Martin del Potro, the Argentinian tennis prodigy who defeated Roger Federer to win his first and only major victory at the US Open in 2009, also congratulated Medvedev.
“Congratulations Daniil Medvedev, well deserved! No words can describe how it feels to win your first US Open, but I bet you’re the happiest man alive right now!”, del Potro tweeted.
Congratulations @daniilmedwed, well deserved! No words can describe how it feels to win your first @usopen, but I bet you’re the happiest man alive right now! pic.twitter.com/akmLx9DZYB
— Juan M. del Potro (@delpotrojuan) September 12, 2021
Billie Jean King, another renowned tennis player, lauded Medvedev for stepping up his game at the perfect time and forcing errors from Novak Djokovic in the final.
“Congratulations to Daniil Medvedev, the 2021 US Open Men’s Singles Champion. Credit to Medvedev who played spectacularly. As Rod Laver would say, you can’t have one bad match in a major, & Novak made too many unforced errors today. However, winning 3 of 4 Slams is remarkable.”
Congratulations to @DaniilMedwed the 2021 #USOpen Men’s Singles Champion.
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) September 12, 2021
Credit to Medvedev who played spectacularly.
As @rodlaver would say, you can’t have one bad match in a major, & Novak made too many unforced errors today.
However, winning 3 of 4 Slams is remarkable.? https://t.co/TUevdDEjyS
Dominic Thiem, the winner of the US Open men’s singles title last year, praised Medvedev for his dominance over the World No. 1.
“What a performance! Congrats on your first Grand Slam title Daniil Medvedev!”
What a performance!
— Dominic Thiem (@ThiemDomi) September 12, 2021
Congrats on your first Grand Slam title @DaniilMedwed ! ??? pic.twitter.com/5tDpWX7yAu
It was a fantastic finish to one of the best tournaments in US Open history. After a succession of outstanding performances by both female and male tennis players, the tournament produced two first-time champions.
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