Tennis World number 1 Novak Djokovic made his vulnerability known after suffering a painful loss to Russian Daniil Medvedev in the US Open Final at the Arthur Ashe Stadium on 12th September. Djokovic fell at the final hurdle in his bid to win the calendar Grand Slam as Medvedev claimed his first major title at the US Open.
By winning the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon titles, the world number one gave himself the chance to do what only Don Budge and Rod Laver have ever managed in the men’s game by claiming all four titles in the same year. To add to the weight of history on his shoulders, victory would also have seen him move clear of his great rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal and become the first man ever to win a 21st slam singles title.
The Russian was good enough to take advantage, securing a 6-4 6-4 6-4 victory in his third slam final to at least strike a real blow for the younger generation against the old guard. Medvedev was well beaten by Djokovic in the Australian Open final in February but he showed in the opening set that he was not going to make the same mistakes, putting on a clinic and giving up just three points on serve. Djokovic dropped his opening service game from 40-15 and was unable to touch Medvedev thereafter.
Medvedev sped away to 4-0 in the third set but became nervous and double faulted on his first two match points before making no mistake with the third before an increasingly frantic crowd. Through tears, Djokovic, whose insatiable desire for victory has always been matched by a hugely commendable graciousness in defeat, said: "I would like to start off by saying congratulations to Daniil, amazing match, amazing tournament. If there is anyone that deserves a grand slam title right now, it's you so well done."
Despite blowing two championship points with double faults, Medvedev has barely been troubled all week. He has won more matches and titles on hard courts than any other ATP player in recent years, but this will be the one that means the most.