The idea came to him a few days before the final: why not send a nod to basketball player Kobe Bryant, another sports legend, who died three years ago in a helicopter accident, whose last issue was Los Angeles Lakers coincides with the number of Grand Slams he was about to have won, 24? So Novak Djokovic had a t-shirt made with the inscription “Mamba Forever” and a photo of the two athletes side by side, which he put on as soon as the US Open final was over (6-3, 7-6 , 6-3 against the Russian Daniil Medvedev). “Kobe was a close friend,” explained the tennis player. We talked a lot about the competitive mentality you need to have. When I was struggling with injuries, he was one of the people I could lean on. He was always there to advise or support me. His passing affected me a lot and I thought the symbolism was beautiful. »
History will remember that it was in New York, in the prestigious setting of the US Open, that the Serbian entered the legend, equaling the record of the Australian Margaret Court, also with 24 Grand Slam victories. “Djoko” is now ahead of Serena Williams by one length, and Rafael Nadal by two. “I started thinking about this record three or four years ago,” he admitted. This means so much to me. I never imagined I could be here, talking about these 24 titles. »
“One of the greatest achievements in sporting history”
Does this make him the greatest tennis player in history? The numbers don’t tell the whole story, but Novak Djokovic shows year after year that he possesses something rarely seen in sport. “What he has just done constitutes one of the greatest achievements in the history of sport, all sports combined,” said his coach Goran Ivanisevic. He was born that way, he was always extremely competitive. He never makes excuses. I might be surprised to see him at such a level at his age (36) if I wasn’t so close to him. He always wants more, pays attention to every detail. He wants everything to be perfect and that’s what makes him so strong. He takes these records very seriously. »
The final was perhaps not the best of his career. She saw the exchanges drag on, particularly during a second set which lasted 1h45 and which seemed to drain the Serb. “I don’t think I’ve ever played a set this long in my career,” he said after the match. Djokovic finally gained the upper hand by varying his shots, going to the net on numerous occasions. He was also able to count on unexpected support: that of his daughter, seated in the front row, directly in his field of vision.
Novak Djokovic with his daughter, aged 6. MATTHEW STOCKMAN / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP 2023 Getty Images
“I didn’t know she would be there,” explained the “Djoker” afterwards. I saw her at the start of the match. There was not enough room in the box reserved for relatives, she had come to sit there with her mother. Throughout the meeting, she gave me that innocent energy that children have. I saw her smile at me, clench her fist. She is 6 years old ! Every time I needed a little light, I looked towards her. She was so into the game. »
“I’m living my childhood dream”
Djokovic won with his first match point, beating the same opponent who deprived him of a victory here two years ago and at the same time success in the four major tournaments in the same year . Last year, he was banned from entering the United States for refusing to be vaccinated against Covid. “People love these comeback stories and so do I,” he smiled. I do everything to stay in shape and I feel extremely good in my body. Sometimes I wonder: do I still need all this? But I have the support of everyone around me, and seeing myself winning the biggest tournaments, still being at the top of this game, I don’t see myself leaving this sport. I will continue ! By giving priority to Grand Slam tournaments. »
After two weeks of almost unbearable heat, the tournament ended with light rain. Djokovic remembered his journey. “I’m living my childhood dream,” he said. When I was little, I was already incredibly ambitious, dreaming of winning a Wimbledon and one day being world number 1. I came from a family where no one played tennis, we were in a country at war, and I wanted to play one of the most expensive sports there is. I owe so much to my family who sacrificed everything for me to be here. At that moment, the urgency should normally have been to put bread on the table rather than allowing the son to play tennis. That’s why I appreciate the moments I’m experiencing today so much. »
2023-09-11 05:03:00
#means #Djokovic #king #York
