Daniil Medvedev has ended Novak Djokovic’s chance at a historic grand slam, producing a brilliant performance to down the world number one in straight sets at Flushing Meadows and win the US Open.
Medvedev, who had lost his previous two finals at major tournaments, came out firing and would not relent, sweeping Djokovic aside 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in two hours, 15 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The 25-year-old world number two showed no sign of nerves until the final moments of the match, where he needed two chances to serve out the match amid a backdrop of unsavoury booing from the 25,000-strong crowd who had hoped to witness history.
In winning, Medvedev not only ended Djokovic’s chance of emulating Rod Laver’s calendar-year Grand Slam — he had earlier won the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon titles in 2021 — it also stopped the Serbian superstar from passing Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for a men's record 21 major singles titles.
“Sorry for you fans, and you Novak. We all know what he was going for today,” Medvedev said after the match.
“What you [Djokovic] have achieved this year and throughout your career, for me, I have never said this before, you are the greatest tennis player in history.”
Beating a player who may yet still go on to become the all-time great in terms of grand slam titles must make this win all the more special for Medvedev, who out-fought and out-thought an off-kilter Djokovic all match, playing a style of game that Djokovic himself has used to such great effect in recent years.
The Russian world number two broke Djokovic’s serve in the very first game of the match to take a lead he would never relinquish.
Djokovic’s serve misfired all match — Medvedev broke the Serbian great’s serve four times in the contest from eight chances and frequently chased down any and all shots that came his way, utilising his 198cm frame to great effect.
It wasn’t just Djokovic’s serve that was off though.
Djokovic hit 38 unforced errors and just 27 winners, an unusual disparity for a player who has been supreme all season, a number of them tired-looking shots into the net.
“I know I could have, and should have, done better,” he said.
It might have been a result of the understandable fatigue that came from a gruelling tournament in which Djokovic was made to work by every opponent on his way to the final, as well as a peerless performance from Medvedev.
“If there is anyone that deserves a Grand Slam title right now, it’s you,” Djokovic said to Medvedev. “Well done.”
It might also have been the pressure he was under to achieve something that neither of his two modern rivals had managed in their illustrious careers — a pressure which boiled over in the second set, when he demolished his racquet, earning a violation from the umpire.
If he had hoped that outburst would spark him into life, he and the pro-Djokovic crowd were left disappointed, as Medvedev continued to dominate on serve.
Djokovic, whose stellar year ends in disappointment after missing out on a medal at the Olympics and now the Grand Slam.
The Serbian legend will now turn his attention to Melbourne next year, where he will hope to win his 10th Australian Open title and 21st overall.
Look back on how all the action unfolded in our live blog.
Key events
Live updates
By Simon Smale
We’ll wrap things up now
Anyway, we’re going to wrap this live blog up for now as we bring a historic day at the US Open to a close.
The US Open final was set up to be a coronation for Novak Djokovic’s 21st grand slam title and his calendar Grand Slam achievement.
Instead, Daniil Medvedev out Djokovic-ed Novak, beating him at his own game and powering to a first major title.
If you missed it earlier, Dylan Alcott completed his Golden Slam , while Sam Stosur won her US Open women’s doubles match with Zhang Shuai .
Thanks for being with us, it’s been a pleasure to bring you the finals over the course of the weekend.
Catch you again soon.
By Simon Smale
Why is Rod Laver not considered the GOAT if he achieved a calendar slam twice?
-Belle
He is definitely considered one of the all time greats, and I don’t think that’s ever been in doubt.
Personally, I think the GOAT term is a bit overused, as it’s so difficult to compare players of a different era for so many reasons.
By Simon Smale
Djokovic still remains the only male to win the 4 Grand Slams back-to-back since Rod Laver, just not in the same calendar year (he won 4 in a row in 15/16).
-Statistics
He is, they call that a non-calendar year Grand Slam for various reasons that involved the ITF making a bit of a gimmick of it in the 1980s by offering a prize fund.
So yes, Djokovic has held all four slams at once, which is something that neither Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer has done.
By Simon Smale
Winning a calendar grand slam is not so hard if your name is Rod Laver. Due to tennis politics only had about six chances to do it and did so on 2 occasions.
-pat
Yeah, Rod is a national treasure (and ridiculously talented tennis freak that flipped the accepted order on its head).
We should also praise Margaret Court too – she won a calendar Grand Slam in singles and mixed doubles twice.
It was a golden era for Australian tennis.
By Simon Smale
Do you think you can make a comment on Djokovic’s disapproval rating overall? It does seem very common for tennis fans to dislike him and perhaps from the comments coming through you might be able to weigh in.
-Tennis fans globally
I could, but you know what, my colleague Paul Johnson did this so eloquently at the start of the US Open, I may as well let him explain it.
By Simon Smale
So very hard to capture a calendar slam – which makes Dylan Alcott’s Golden Slam all the more impressive. What a champion!
-NB
Spot on, NB, it’s incredibly tricky and a wonderful achievement.
So hats off to Rod Laver for doing it twice !
By Simon Smale
Rod Laver praises both players
The last man to win a singles Grand Slam in 1969 had said he hoped Djokovic would emulate his feat today.
He did not, but nethertheless, he was still impressed with what he saw.
By Simon Smale
This was the biggest match of Djokovic’s life. If he had the most majors AND the calendar slam, even those who dislike like (me included) would have to begrudgingly acknowledge his GOATness. He squandered it.
-LW
I think squandering is a bit harsh.
Yes, there have not been many chances for players in the men’s or women’s singles draw to close out a calendar Grand Slam. In fact, it’s only ever happened three times before in men’s singles tennis and three times in women’s singles tennis.
In the Open era, having a player win the first three slams of the year has only happened six times
Only three players have been successful: Rod Laver in 1969, Margaret Court in 1970 and Steffi Graf in 1988.
Martina Navratilova failed to win the US Open after winning the previous three slams in 1984, Serena Williams in 2015, and now Novak Djokovic in 2021.
In short, it’s really, really hard to do.
He just ran out of energy, both emotional and physical.
By Simon Smale
Australians commenting on bad behaviour in a crowd. Hypocrite much!
-TooFunny
I don’t know what you’re talking about…
By Simon Smale
Medvedev’s flop to the ground, in pictures
Danill Medvedev flopped to the ground in celebration, after raising his arms, before lying on the ground with his tongue out.
It’s a unique way to celebrate, that’s for sure.
Audience comment by Sarah
Awesome result! Huge congratulations to Medvedev. A shame the crowd were so appalling.
By Simon Smale
Medvedev: Djokovic ‘the greatest player in history’
Daniil Medvedev apologises to the crowd, and Djokovic.
“Sorry for you fans and you Novak. We all know what he was going for today and I just want to say, what you accomplished through your career is incredible,” he says.
“For me, you are the greatest tennis player in the history.”
“Thank you, even if you were more for Novak, that’s understandable.
He says that it is his anniversary, and that he had not had a chance to go and get a present as he was playing, so he had to win the match.
By Simon Smale
Djokovic thanks the crowd
“Thank you so much guys,” Djokovic says.
“Congratulations to Daniil. amazing match amazing tournament. If there us anyone who deserves a grand slam title right now, it’s you.
“You’re one of the greatest guys on the Tour – I wish you many more majors. I’m sure you’ll be in this place again.
“I visualised standing in front of you guys and wondering what I can say.
“Even though I did not win today, my heart is filled with joy, because you guys made me feel so special.
“You guys touch my soul. I’ve never felt like this in New York. Thank you so much.
“I love you and I’ll see you soon.”
He was very emotional there.
By Simon Smale
Post match pressers
Time of the post-match presentation. The dignitaries are being presented.
The presenter tells Djokovic: “What you have achieved throughout your career makes you one of the greatest of all time.”
The crowd cheer, changing “Novak, Novak, Novak.”
Djokovic looks teary.
I wonder when the emphasis was placed on one of the greatest that must have stuck a little.
He wants to stand alone at the top of the men’s game.
By Simon Smale
Poor crowd?
Flushing Meadows crowds easily the worst mannered of the 4 slams. And thank you Daniil Medvedev!
-Dom
Shame on the American audience. Appalling sportsmanship.
-Lou
Is is certainly a feature of the US Open that can be unsavory at times.
It is a lively crowd that creates an atmosphere that is unmatched anywhere else in the world.
But yes, the booing of Medvedev was very poor.
Audience comment by Mel
6-4, 6-4, 6-4 has a nice symmetry to it. Awesome game. Great result!
By Simon Smale
Djokovic in tears after the match
As Medvedev celebrated, Djokovic, after hugging and congratulating his opponent, went back to his chair, put a towel over his head, and burst into tears, huge, body-wracking sobs consuming the 20-time grand slam champion.
So much of that is just pent up tension.
He was just outplayed today. It hasn’t happened often in his career of late, but it happened today.
Audience comment by Yay!
A great win, straight sets, to de-smug Djokovic is a great service to tennis!
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