How US Open 2021 final played out ahead of 2023 rematch
At the 2021 US Open final Novak Djokovic was on the verge of becoming the first male player to complete the calendar-year Grand Slam since Rod Laver in 1969 – and then he faced Daniil Medvedev.
With the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon already won in 2021, Djokovic reached the US Open final and was heavy favourite to achieve a 52-year first in the men’s game.
The Serbian was also out to overtake Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal and win a 21st grand slam singles title, and in Medvedev faced a player who had already lost two major finals.
But it would prove to be a major upset, with Medvedev not only winning his first slam, but doing so in straight sets, beating Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.
And having denied Djokovic the Grand Slam, the Russian was apologetic afterwards.
“First of all I want to say sorry for you fans and Novak. We all know what he was going for today,” Medvedev said during the trophy ceremony that followed.
“I’ve never said this anybody, but I will say it right now. For me, you are the greatest tennis player in history.”
Djokovic, meanwhile, was willed on to make history by a crowd that had been goaded by Medvedev in the previous rounds.
“I would like to say that tonight, even though I have not won the match, my heart is filled with joy and I’m the happiest man alive because you guys made me feel very special,” Djokovic said.
“You guys touched my soul. I’ve never felt like this in New York… I love you guys. Thank you so much for the support and everything you have done tonight for me. I love you and I’ll see you soon.”
And now they meet again, for the 15th time overall, with Djokovic leading the head-to-head record 9-5, while Medvedev won their most recent meeting 6-4, 6-4 in Dubai this year.
“The challenge is that I have to play a guy who won 23 grand slams,” said Medvedev, who upset defending champion Carlos Alcaraz on Friday night to reach the final.
“I only have one. When I beat him here [in 2021] I managed to play better than myself. There is no other way.”
He added in his press conference afterwards: “Novak is going to be his best version on Sunday, and I have to be the best-ever version of myself if I want to try to beat him.”
Once again Djokovic is chasing history at a slam. Into his 10th US Open final, he knows victory on Sunday would see him level Margaret Court’s record of 24 major titles.
And all the while he very much has the 2021 final on his mind, admitting he “underperformed” that night as his dream to win the Grand Slam was crushed in the last of the 28 matches required to win and manage this feat.
“I was very close to making it 24 in London, but I lost to a better player on that day in a close five-set match,” said Djokovic, referring to the defeat to Alcaraz at Wimbledon in July.
“I understand every time I’m in a Grand Slam final it’s another shot for history, and I’m aware of it, and of course I’m very proud of it.
“I don’t have much time nor do I allow myself to reflect on these things or think about the history too much in this sense, because when I did that in the past, like the 2021 final here I was maybe overwhelmed with the occasion, and the opportunity, and I underperformed.
“So I don’t want this to happen again, and I’ll try to just focus on what needs to be done and tactically prepare myself for that match.”
