Daniil Medvedev won his first grand slam title Sunday, beating Novak Djokovic 6-4 6-4 6-4 in the US Open final and ending the world No. 1’s hopes of completing a calendar grand slam.
The 25-year-old Medvedev, playing in his third grand slam final, became the third Russian man to win a major singles title and the ninth different US Open men’s singles champion of the last 14 years.
After his victory, he thanked friends, family and fans for giving him energy throughout the week. He ended his speech by wishing his wife a happy anniversary.
”During the tournament I couldn’t think of a present or anything, but if I lose I have to think of a present,” Medvedev said.
The world No. 2 also praised Djokovic, who was in tears after the match, for his accomplishments.
“For me, you are the greatest tennis player in the history,” Medvedev said.
In return, Djokovic said that his opponent deserved to win the title: “I wish you many more grand slams, many more majors, I’m sure you’ll be on this stage in the future again,” he said.
Djokovic had been looking to win a record 21st grand slam title and complete the first men’s calendar grand slam — winning the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open in the same year — since Rod Laver in 1969.
Sunday’s match means Djokovic remains tied with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal on 20 grand slam titles.
Medvedev, who defeated 12th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada in straight sets to reach the final, lost to Rafael Nadal in five sets in the 2019 US Open and fell in the Australian Open final to Djokovic in straight sets earlier this year.
However, Medvedev looked ominous throughout this year’s competition, dropping just one set on the way to the final where he was able to get revenge for his Melbourne loss and scupper Djokovic’s hopes of a year for the ages.
After his semifinal win against Auger-Aliassime, Medvedev said he learned a lot from the lost final against Djokovic in Melbourne.
“He was playing different than the matches he did before me, and I was kind of not ready for it, so now I am,” Medvedev said of Djokovic’s tactics.
While Djokovic failed to become the third man after Don Budge (1938) and Rod Laver (1962, 1969) to sweep all four majors in the same year, Medvedev capped off a stellar US Open outing with a memorable win.
Medvedev will take home the largest slice of the $57.5 million dollars (48.6M euros), in prize money dished out to those taking part in the tournament.
Medvedev, who defeated Djokovic in the final will pocket $2.5 million (2.1M euros), the same prize money which Great Britain’s Emma Raducanu, the women’s champions got.
It is half a million dollars less than last year’s winners, Dominic Thiem and Naomi Osaka, received for their US Open triumphs.
Meanwhile, runners-up Djokovic and Leylah Fernández, will each take home $1,250,000 prize money.
As for Carlos Alcaraz, the Spanish player who went furthest in the men’s tournament, he will receive $425,000 for reaching the quarter finals.
Garbiñe Muguruza, the best of Spain’s women players at the event, will be $265,000 richer for reaching the last 16.
