Novak Djokovic was a man on a mission at the 2021 Majors. The Serbian started the season with his ninth Australian Open crown and added his second Roland Garros to be halfway to tennis glory. Djokovic secured his sixth Wimbledon title over Matteo Berrettini and moved closer to a calendar Grand Slam, his first since Rod Laver in 1969.
Novak arrived in New York after losing an Olympic medal in Tokyo, failing to play at his best and giving up six sets on their way to the final. Djokovic’s 27th straight Major victory came in a five-setter against Alexander Zverev, falling one win away from the 21st Major and a Grand Slam on the calendar.
Pursuing tennis’s greatest glory, Djokovic lost to Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 and suffered one of the heaviest defeats of his career. Under pressure, Novak played well below his best level, struggling to return and unable to land his shots against an opponent who desperately wanted his first Major crown.
Like never before, Djokovic had enormous support at the Arthur Ashe Stadium, feeling impressed by it and saying that the spectators touched his heart. Novak was very emotional after the game, relieved to finish his career and hoping to fight for more notable titles in the next two years.
“I have learned over the years to deal with defeats in such a way that I treat them as excellent opportunities for growth. I feel that the loss in the US Open final has come, possibly, at the worst or at the best time for me, in a way.
Of course, I am disappointed to lose the game, but I feel blessed to have experienced the love of the public and the support of the stadium, something that I have never experienced in my life in New York or in many places around the world.”
Simon Rea comments on Djokovic
Novak Djokovic’s offensive skills do not get due credit, says former player and tennis analyst Simon Rea, based on statistics from the 2023 Australian Open.
“I think it’s an area that we might often undersell Novak in,” Rea said. “We go to the return of serve or the defense but perhaps we overlook, at times, the offensive capability that this guy brings and the weapons that he does have, as well as being really hard to get at or ‘where would you start if you’re formulating a game plan against him’
This guy can generate and do some damage as well. It’s more testament to his ball-striking, the weaponry, the phenomenal timing, coordination, the ability to produce easy power that we see from him under pressure. Then you marry that up with some of the physicality that we often sing his praises for and it becomes almost an impenetrable fortress. Where do you turn to get past this guy?” Rea added.
