Djokovic also pulled on a T-shirt which paid tribute to NBA legend Kobe Bryant, his friend who was killed in a helicopter crash in 2020 and wore 24 in his playing days. These are the moments and these are the kind of emotions that I motivate myself with every single day when I’m not playing a tournament,” Djokovic said. “Occasionally asking myself: ‘Why do I need this still at this stage after all I have done, you know? How long do I want to keep going?’ I do have these questions in my head, of course.

At the most critical moment, Djokovic shored up his game and broke serve for the set with some spectacular defence. With the first set secured, Djokovic relaxed and gradually returned to the stratospheric level he has exhibited during the second week. There were some tight games, and Paul showed off his great athleticism by winning a number of high octane extended rallies, but in the end he had only three games to show for his efforts in the final two sets. BBC pundits hailed Djokovic's achievement with former British number one Annabel Croft saying fans had witnessed "something incredibly special". NEW YORK -- Novak Djokovic defeated Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3 on Sunday to win the US Open and claim a historic 24th major championship, matching Margaret Court for the most Grand Slam singles titles in tennis history. I never imagined that I would be here standing with you talking about 24 Slams. I never thought that would be the reality," said Djokovic, a 36-year-old from Serbia who became the tournament's oldest male champion in the Open era, which dates to 1968. "But the last couple of years, I felt I have a chance, I have a shot for history, and why not grab it if it's presented?"Regrets, for sure,” Medvedev said. “Should have won it. Should have won it, but sometimes tennis is not that easy. Passing for sure down the line, not cross, but I have two choices and I chose the wrong one.”

After he got through the second-set tiebreak, Djokovic said he was able to regain some of his energy during the break. In the third set, he left little to chance, and Medvedev's fighting spirit seemed to be greatly diminished. Djokovic needed just 44 minutes in the final set. It's not my interest or business to really review what everyone talks about or thinks, whether there is a passing of the torch, or whatever you want to call it, happening or not happening in the sport," he said. Despite needing to stretch his legs several times and some moments of obvious fatigue, Djokovic was in control from the start on Sunday. He won 12 of the match's first 16 points for a 3-0 lead, and he dominated virtually every statistical category. While the result was a straight-sets victory, Djokovic needed to dig deep to endure several lengthy rallies, including one that lasted 37 shots, and the tiresome second set, which ran 1 hour, 44 minutes. Djokovic had only lost from a set up at the US Open once on 73 previous occasions, against Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka in the 2016 final. Djokovic offered to help up Medvedev when the Russian fell to the court in the third setDjokovic has won eight of the past 12 majors he has played at and will replace Alcaraz again as the world number one on Monday. He had to put himself through the pain barrier to be able to do it. I don't think Medvedev could have played any better. I just admire the strength of character he has but to find the layers he found in his game. It was perfection." I would definitely sign right away the paper if somebody would tell me I would win three out of four and play Wimbledon finals this year," Djokovic said. This was a kid who grew up playing tennis in an empty swimming pool and he became the greatest tennis player of all time. You can try to psychoanalyse all you want but the fact is he has put all the pieces of the puzzle together. He can't get any better."