Novak was going for huge history, knowing that I managed to stop him, it definitely makes it sweeter: Daniil Medvedev on winning US Open 2021


Novak was going for huge history, knowing that I managed to stop him, it definitely makes it sweeter: Daniil Medvedev on winning US Open 2021

Daniil Medvedev and Novak Djokovic

After two previous failed attempts at winning a Grand Slam, World No.2 Daniil Medvedev finally broke the shackles by winning the 2021 US Open. The second seed not only managed to grab his maiden Major title, but he also stopped the World No.1 from realizing his Calendar Slam aspirations.

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The Russian arguably produced his best Grand Slam performance as he stunned the Serbian superstar in three straight sets. In the process, Medvedev also became only the second Russian to win the US Open after Marat Safin who won the title in 2000.

Expressing his delight to the media on winning his first Grand Slam title, Medvedev said, “Everything that happens for the first time is special. When I won my first junior tournament, it meant a lot to me. When I won my first future, I was happy. That’s my first Grand Slam. I don’t know how I’m going to feel if I win a second one or third one. That’s my first one, so I’m really happy. Means a lot to me.”

Before the US Open final, Medvedev had never beaten Djokovic at a Grand Slam in two previous meetings. However, the 25-year-old also managed to set the record straight by not only dethroning the three-time US Open winner, but he got the job done in an imperious manner.

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“For the confidence and for my future career, knowing that I beat somebody who was 27-0 in a year in Grand Slams, I lost to him in Australia, he was going for huge history, and knowing that I managed to stop him it definitely makes it sweeter and brings me confidence for what is to come on hard courts so far, but let’s see about other surfaces,” the World No.2 explained.

Year End No.1? Almost Impossible, says Medvedev

Daniil Medvedev
Daniil Medvedev

Although Medvedev won the US Open, he is still close to 1500 points behind the 34-year-old. When quizzed about whether he is aiming to surpass the 20-time Grand Slam champion for the year-end No.1 finish, Medvedev responded in a realistic way.

With a few big titles to defend before the season draws to a close, Medvedev opined that it would be “almost impossible to leapfrog Djokovic at the top of the ATP rankings.”

“I have Paris and Nitto ATP Finals to defend. Novak, I don’t think he has much to defend. I think honestly it’s almost impossible. Let’s hope I win Indian Wells, Bercy and Turin. It’s a tough challenge. I’m just happy to win a Major. I’m going to do my best in every tournament I’m playing. That’s not my first goal in my mind to try to achieve it this year. If I manage to do it one day, it’s great,” the Russian concluded.

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Also Read: History Denied! Daniil Medvedev outplays Novak Djokovic to win the 2021 US Open