Novak Djokovic Gains Personal Victory Despite Losing Grand Slam Quest

So what happened?

That’s what many avid tennis watchers and regular sports fans are asking after Russia’s Daniil Medvedev claimed his first US Open title this past Sunday. The 25-year-old Russian stopped World Number 1 Novak Djokovic and his quest to complete the rare Grand Slam, winning all four major tournaments (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, US Open) in a single calendar year.

Yet despite the defeat, Djokovic may have earned another long-sought-after personal victory not reflected in the 6–4, 6–4, 6–4 final score.

As the most consistent and dominant men’s player for the last few years, Djokovic has won just about everything there is to win in pro tennis, including an Olympic bronze medal. Yet winning over the majority of tennis fans to be one his side has been one of the Serbian’s greatest challenges during his career.

Until now.

The Serbian superstar enjoyed overwhelming support, most of it loud and sometimes rowdy. Not a surprise given that it’s New York, but for Djokovic, it definitely was a new experience even though he was playing in his ninth US Open final. Despite the crushing loss, Djokovic said during the trophy ceremony that the crowd had “touched his soul.” An honest admission on how much it meant for him to have the fans on his side.

Djokovic, 34, has often rued, sometimes in the middle of matches, not having the entire crowd on his side. He articulated this desire publicly for the first time after winning his first major at the 2008 Australian Open over France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. The Melbourne crowd rooted for the affable shotmaking Tsonga, who upset Rafael Nadal in the semifinals, to win. Yet it was Djokovic who won in four sets to claim his first of 20 major titles.

In his acceptance speech, Djokovic congratulated Tsonga and said he would have made a deserving winner. Then he said, “And I know the crowd wanted him to win more.” That drew nervous and surprised laughter from the crowd, to which Djokovic then added, “It’s ok. I still love you guys, don’t worry.”

Djokovic has since earned his share of fans worldwide, but he’s often dealt with crowds mostly wanting the other guy to win, especially if that guy is Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal. Or if he weren’t facing Federer or Nadal, the crowd would support the underdog facing Djokovic, who was always expected to win.

Djokovic has used that lack of support over the years to spur him on to victory many times, often bellowing a defiant roar or a long staredown after a winning point right at the crowd. He’s also ripped incredible winners at the right time, then encouraging the crowd to show him some love for his efforts. Like he did at the 2011 US Open semifinals against Federer when he saved match point with a ridiculous great forehand winner. (Djokovic ended up winning the match and then later the title).

This time in New York, things were different.

Djokovic entered this year’s final major event in New York as the overwhelming favorite to not only win the title but complete the Grand Slam, becoming the first man to do since Rod Laver repeated the feat in 1969. (Laver completed the Grand Slam twice, as an amateur in 1962 and then as a pro seven years later.)

Yet World Number 2 Medvedev had other ideas. Before the tournament started, the 6' 6" Russian who had beaten Djokovic before, publicly stated he was there to stop Djokovic and win the title for himself. Strong words considering Djokovic soundly beat Medvedev in straight sets 7–5, 6–2, 6–2 back in February to win a record ninth Australian Open singles title.

But in the US Open final, Djokovic looked weary both mentally and physically right from the start. Some of that was because he had played six hours longer in his previous matches than his opponent. That included winning a tense five-set semifinal against Germany’s Alexander Zverev. Add in all the incessant build-up and media questions aimed at Djokovic about winning the Grand Slam, and it was clear Djokovic was not peaking for this final.

To be clear, Medvedev won the final and the tournament because he was simply the best player over the entire event. Even a fully fresh Djokovic would have likely found it difficult to win. Medvedev with strong serving and incredible diligence from the backcourt just wore Djokovic down from start to finish.

Yet the New York crowd, many of which included celebrities, hoping to watch history happen, did their best to spur on the three-time US Open winner Djokovic as loudly as possible. As soon as Djokovic walked on court to start the final, he received the loudest cheer he had heard all tournament, and probably the loudest he had ever heard since he started playing in New York. When Medvedev took control of the match, the crowd got louder, hoping to energize Djokovic. When Medvedev served for the title late in the third set, the crowd got downright rude when they booed the Russian as he tried to serve, causing several double faults.

Late in that third set, Djokovic managed to battle back from trailing 1–5 to pull within a game of tying the set. On the changeover, the crowd gave Djokovic another extended roar and starting shouting his nickname “Nole!” That pushed Djokovic over the edge into tears, some of it in appreciation of the crowd’s support, some of it in the realization that his hopes for completing the Grand Slam were quickly fading. Djokovic managed to compose himself as he started the next game. Medvedev himself endured the rowdy crowd and finally managed to serve out the win, despite admitting later to battling nerves and cramps in the last points.

Djokovic, who later expressed relief that the whole build-up to the Grand Slam was finally over, elaborated later on what he felt on court from the crowd.

“So many different emotions. What I said on the ceremony, I really mean it. Of course, part of me is very sad. It’s a tough one to swallow, this loss, I mean, considering everything that was on the line. But on the other hand I felt something I never felt in my life here in New York. The crowd made me very special. They pleasantly surprised me. I did not know, I did not expect anything, but the amount of support and energy and love I got from the crowd was something that I’ll remember forever. I mean, that’s the reason on the changeover I just teared up. The emotion, the energy was so strong. I mean, it’s as strong as winning 21 Grand Slams. That’s how I felt, honestly. I felt very, very special. They touched my heart, honestly. Of course, in the end of the day you want to win. You’re a professional athlete. These are the kind of moments that you cherish. These are connections that you establish with people that will be lasting for a very long time. Yeah, it was just wonderful.”

Djokovic may never get another chance to complete the Grand Slam, but he will very likely win more majors and thus pass both Federer and Nadal for being the man to have won the most career major singles titles. He may not have won the Grand Slam, or the match, but to have the crowd on his side, at last, may well be his most satisfying and personally fulfilling victory of his career.