Novak Djokovic‘s straight-sets defeat by Daniil Medvedev in the US Open final was a shock to the tennis world, as the Serb was just one win away from completing a historic Calendar Slam. The world number one lifted the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon title earlier this year, and needed one more success in New York to become the first male player to win all four majors in the same year since Rod Laver in 1969.
But he fell painfully short at the final hurdle, losing 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to the Russian Medvedev who claimed his first Grand Slam title and gained revenge for his loss to Djokovic in the final in Melbourne at the beginning of the year.
The 25-year-old is at the forefront of a new generation of tennis stars, so to see him winning major titles comes as no surprise in itself.
But defeating Djokovic so convincingly did cause something of a stir, as did the amount of nerves that seemed to be on show from the 20-time Grand Slam winner.
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal also boast that same number of major titles, and the latter’s camp was surprised to see so much emotion creep into Djokovic’s game at Flushing Meadows.
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“Coaches may prepare their players, try to cover all aspects of the game, the different approaches to a game, improve technique, polish shots and physical endurance.
“There is something that cannot be done such as always be controlled: the control of emotions at certain moments of a match or, in this case, at the decisive moment of an entire sports career.”
Djokovic might have squandered a chance to overtake Federer and Nadal in terms of total career Grand Slam successes, but he will have plenty more chances to do so.
And Toni Nadal has backed the Serb to bounce back from his US Open final defeat.
“Djokovic knew he was facing the most crucial match of his life, the meeting that was to determine the much-talked-about debate in tennis – who is the best player in the history of our sport,” he said.
“It is certain that this defeat will be painful but he will recover.”
