Medvedev Denies Djokovic Calendar Slam In Stunning US Open Final

by Staff | September 12th, 2021, 10:43 pm
  • 27 Comments

Novak Djokovic’s hopes and dreams of an historic Calendar Grand Slam were dashed Sunday by Daniil Medvedev who dominated the world No. 1 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to collect his first Grand Slam title at the US Open.

“A lot of happiness. That’s my first Grand Slam,” Medvedev said on court. “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.”

He then turned to Djokovic.


“I never said this to anybody, but I’ll say it right now. For me, you are the greatest player in history,” Medvedev said.

Medvedev, who was 0-3 against Djokovic in the best-of-5 format, broke Djokovic early in the match and was never once in trouble thanks to some flawless serving finishing with 16 aces winning 80% of first serves and not getting broken until the very end.

“It definitely makes it sweeter,” Medvedev said. “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.”

Djokovic would proceed to lose the opening set for a fifth straight match, but there was no recovery here.

Medvedev kept the pressure on holding with ease against one of the great returners in the game.

Djokovic’s serves and shots just had no bite on them, and he appeared flat in this bid for immortality.

Up two sets, Medvedev continued the rout in the third going up 5-1 before Djokovic got some life. Medvedev got to match point seving at 5-2 but a pair of double faults cost him. With the star-studded crowd getting back into it, Djokovic held and Medvedev had another chance at 5-4.

Djokovic teared up in his towel on the changeover, then after yet another nervy double fault, Medvedev finally put Djokovic away prevent the first Calendar Slam since Rod Laver in 1969.

Laver, who was in the crowd, could only applaud.

“He had a lot of pressure,” Medvedev said. “I had a lot of pressure, too, about the risk on the second serve, it was because of the confidence I had. I knew I cannot give him easy serves because that’s what he likes. So that was the plan. Because of the confidence in a lot of tight moments, I managed to do it well.”

Medvedev admitted to the nerves and some cramping late.

“Started cramping at 5-3, I think because of the pressure at 5-2 where I had match points, I didn’t make it,” Medvedev added. “My legs were gone after 5-3. At 5-4, left leg, I almost couldn’t walk. If you really look the replay, when I walked to the towel, my leg was just going behind. I was trying not to show it. If Novak feels it, it’s not good.

“Again, 40-15, that’s two match points. I was like, C’mon, go for an ace, just try to make it. I had a huge double-fault. Second one was like in the middle of the net. Okay, I have one more. Just try to make a first serve. I made it and I’m really happy.”

A dejected Djokovic said it was special that he felt the love of the crowd.

“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,” Djokovic said. “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.

“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.”

Djokovic added he just didn’t have his game on a day he needed it the most.

“I was just below par with my game. My legs were not there. I was trying. I did my best,” he said. “I made a lot of unforced errors.

“So just one of these days where unfortunately, yeah, wasn’t meant to be.”

Djokovic had won 12 of his last 14 Grand Slam finals and of course hadn’t lost in best-of-five since the French Open last fall.

“Of course I’m disappointed with the overall game that I performed today,” Djokovic added. “I know I could have and should have done better. But it’s sport, you know. You win some, you lose some. It’s a tough loss, very tough loss. But at the same time I’m happy for him because he’s a nice guy and he deserves it. He really does.”

After ending this journey, Djokovic felt relived to be done with the chase even though he came up just short.

“Was glad it was over because the buildup for this tournament and everything that mentally, emotionally I had to deal with throughout the tournament in the last couple of weeks was just a lot. It was a lot to handle,” Djokovic said.

“I was just glad that finally the run is over. At the same time I felt sadness, disappointment, and also gratitude for the crowd and for that special moment that they’ve created for me on the court.”

Djokovic along with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will now head to Australian still tied at 20. But the new kids aren’t just coming, they are now here.


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27 Comments for Medvedev Denies Djokovic Calendar Slam In Stunning US Open Final

Giles Says:

What can I say. Joker obviously didn’t deserve it. Never mind , next time!
Bog boy. Are you ok?
😜😜😜😜😜😜😜😜


Wog Boy Says:

Hi Gisele, how are you doing?

I am more than ok, thanks for asking, why wouldn’t I be? My man made 4 GS finals and won 3, 75% success rate, how about your man, ohh sorry, I forgot that he had head trauma at FO SF so he had to quit the rest of the year, how unfortunate 🙁


Giles Says:

Bog boy. I am doing absolutely fine. Today is a good day. So much good news, I can’t contain myself! ROFL
My man is doing fine. Has just had some treatment on his foot and is home resting . He’ll be back next year hopefully fighting fit. How is your guy doing now that he lost the biggest match of his career? And especially as all the big guns were missing from the tournament. I would have thought he’d stroll through the final but he LOST! Tut tut tut! Never mind Bog boy he can try another time can’t he? Lololol


Giles Says:

Sooo let’s put this Goat debate to bed now that joker lost a match he should have won with his eyes closed! Hahahaha


skeezer Says:

“.. you are the greatest player in history,” Medvedev said.”
Of.course he said it. Now he can go around touting he beat the greatest player in history. Smart ;)


skeezer Says:

Conragts Medvedev well done.
“ I’m just really happy that I managed to give my best today. I managed to win against one of the greatest of all time in straight sets in a match that meant everything to him … that’s special.”


Huh Says:

Voodoo dolls did the trick 😂😂😂


Huh Says:

Voodoo magic did the trick :D


Okiegal Says:

Ummm, the Russian dude has a way with words…..


SG1 Says:

Novak had a phenomenal year. Trying to turn this year into some kind of failure is silly.

Novak never hid from his aspirations to get the calendar slam. He didn’t downplay it. He wanted to accomplish it and he was clear about it. It takes guts and courage to put yourself on the line that way. Neither Rafa or Roger have ever been in this position before so who’s to say how they would have handled the enormity of the moment?

3 slams and a slam final? If that’s a failure, what the hell is a success? Let’s also remember that when Laver won the calendar slam, his closing match was in grass which was his best surface. While some might say that clay is Novak’s worst surface, I actually think it’s USO hard courts which are quicker than the ones at the AO. Novak has lost a bunch of USO finals.


Giles Says:

Read the comment from Tennis World further down in the above link.


Giles Says:

He FAILED to accomplish his dream and that’s the truth of the matter. You can twist it any way you like


lylenubbins Says:

Nice write-up. The match shows how incredibly difficult the calendar slam is. It is definitely different than holding all 4 at the same time, as great as that is. Even the mighty Joker fell short. Congrats to both of these wonderful players. I wonder what this does for Novak’s motivation going forward, you never know . . .


tennismonger Says:

Yes, very nice write-ups all through the tourney. While I’m sad for Novak, it’s good to see a worthy Next-Gener earn a well-deserved 1st major title.

I keep thinking that it was almost as if Daniil was throwing Nole a lifeline in that next-to-the-last game as if to say, “One last chance to be show us the Novak that everyone is here to see…”

But it was not to be. Novak must have known it early in the second even if the rest of us didn’t.

As I glibly IMd a buddy of mine right after, “Well there’s always next year…” We’ll just have to see where things stand at the AO 2022 – so much can change & some things may remain the same.

Can’t wait!


Madmax Says:

You two are so childish.

Giles Says:
What can I say. Joker obviously didn’t deserve it. Never mind , next time!
Bog boy. Are you ok?
😜😜😜😜😜😜😜😜

September 13th, 2021 at 4:49 am

Wog Boy Says:
Hi Gisele, how are you doing?

I am more than ok, thanks for asking, why wouldn’t I be? My man made 4 GS finals and won 3, 75% success rate, how about your man, ohh sorry, I forgot that he had head trauma at FO SF so he had to quit the rest of the year, how unfortunate 🙁

September 13th, 2021 at 6:08 am

Take your toys and go and play somewhere else.

There was no doubt that Novak was not playing his best game, but who can blame him? He has worked so hard all year, it has simply caught up with him. He has had an amazing, incredible year. And once again, as I have said over and over again, the most gracious loser. Novak is the most gracious loser.

Now, as for the racquet smashing, we will leave that to one side, because in the heat of the moment, it is no wonder he needed to get rid of his frustration somehow. There was a lot of backlash for this, saying if a female had done this, they would have been warned or suspended.

Not a great match, but enough for me. Novak will be back. Could even get the calendar slam next year – right?

Always hope.


Van Persie Says:

Hey guys,I have to cherish a childish joke with you. About what was Nole thinking while crying: “Now I am stuck at 20 for a while together with the others 2 losers” 😂


SG1 Says:

Novak did fail in his quest for a calendar slam but he is not a failure as Giles is implying. He lost to a great player, playing well and on a mission of his own.

Medvedev is not getting enough credit. Yes, Novak wasn’t at his best. Yes, he didn’t serve well. Yes, he wasn’t reading Daniil’s serve well. None of that happens if Daniil doesn’t show up to play. But Daniil did show up to play and at his best, he can pose problems for Novak which he did.

Medvedev proved he’s a solid No.2 and perhaps a future No.1. He did what Zverev and others could not. Good on him.


SG1 Says:

I actually think that Medvedev is one of the few guys out there that is a bad match up for Novak. You don’t get any cheap points on serve and he can rally for days. Rafa is an uglier match up Daniil. Novak has become quite serve dependent the past few years.


chrisford1 Says:

Another total bungled analysis by Skeezer:

“.. you are the greatest player in history,” Medvedev said.”
Of.course he said it. Now he can go around touting he beat the greatest player in history. Smart ;)

Daniil Medvedev and Novak get along well. Long before this match, they thought highly of each other and are bright guys….who often have practiced in the past, starting when Medvedev was a nobody junior trying to get into the “up n’ comer” class. Treated Daniil as a guy he was happy to practice against and see around town and on tour occasionally. He called Novak “the greatest player” back in 2019.
Nothing new.
But I’m happy that you are coming around to Djokovic being the greatest player in history – even if it comes from you alluding that is fact by saying Daniil only said it because (he wanted people to be hugely impressed he beat the greatest player in history..)


skeezer Says:

“Another total bungled analysis by Skeezer..”
What is it with you man? Only quoting the man himself. He also recently called Djoker ONE of the greatest, not “greatest”
Nothing like your bungled year after year of a false Fed weak era argument.


Django Says:

Danil said Greatst player in history on camera
Wow


Van Persie Says:

Zverev also told that Nole is GOAT


Giles Says:

Django and VP. Don’t get over excited. Their opinions do not count in the grand scheme of things. They are giving themselves back handed compliments insinuating they beat the greatest player in history! ROFL


tennismonger Says:

Not too long ago Gasquet claimed that Fed is the GOAT or BOAT (I forget which) if aesthetics are factored in. Of course when he was a kid, Gasquet scored a famous win against Fed in Monte Carlo though I don’t think he repeated much after that…so there you go.

Does anyone remember that Gasquet was the original “baby Fed?” Then Dimitrov made off with the moniker & now it would seem that there is scarcely a Fed, let alone a baby Fed anymore.

But keep your eye on that Musetti kid…true artists can take time to mature…

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