Novak Djokovic is a 24-time Grand Slam champion — and he’s celebrating in mamba style.
The 36-year-old held his own against his 27-year-old opponent, Russian Daniil Medvedev, and won the match in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3.
After collapsing on the court and then running into the stands to celebrate with his wife and children (and Matthew McConaughey, who got his first hug when Djokovic reached his players’ box), the Serb donned a brightly colored T-shirt that read “Mamba forever ” and a picture of Kobe Bryant on the front, and Bryant’s jersey number 24 on the back, which refers to Djokovic’s recently won 24th Grand Slam tournament.
“I was thinking about possibly making this shirt if I get the chance to win the tournament,” Djokovic explained. “Kobe was a close friend, we talked a lot about the winning mentality when I was fighting the injury and trying to get back to the top of the game. He was one of the people I relied on the most.”
“What happened a few years ago, his death, hurt me deeply,” the tennis star continued. “I thought it was 24 – that was the jersey he wore when he became a legend, so I thought it might be a nice, symbolic way to honor him.”
Tom Brady and Novak Djokovic hug during a backstage meeting at the US Open: watch
Daniil Medvedev.
Al Bello/Getty
Djokovic started the match strongly, taking the first three games of the first set before winning it 6-3.
The second set was a tougher challenge, with deuce points after deuce points, and Djokovic collapsed on the court at one point after a long rally. Medvedev broke him early, but Djokovic took the set to a tiebreak, which he then won 7-6 (7-5).
The win marks Djokovic’s 24th Grand Slam win, tying him for the most ever with Margaret Court — however, he now holds the record for most Grand Slam wins in the Open era, surpassing Serena Williams’ 23.
Daniil Medvedev says brutal US Open heat so ‘dangerous’ player will ‘die’
This was Djokovic’s first appearance at the US Open in two years — he missed the 2022 edition because he refused to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, but returned this year after the US reversed its policy of allowing unvaccinated non-citizens into the country.
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Novak Djokovic.
Clive Brunskill/Getty
The final was also a rematch of the 2021 US Open, which ended with the opposite outcome — Medvedev won that match in two sets and took the crown.
The match, like the one yesterday at Coco Gauff’s, was full of stars: New couple Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner; Leonardo DiCaprio; Justin Timberlake — causing Lin-Manuel Miranda to shoot while on screen; Stab; Jerry Seinfeld; Charlize Theron returns for day two of the finale and dances – again, this time to Prince; Martha Stewart; Lil Wayne; Zach Braff; Christie Brinkley; Molly Ringwald; Andy Cohen; Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Eva Longoria.
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Source: HIS Education