Novak Djokovic’s dream of completing a Grand Slam (winning all four major tournaments in the same year), while also surpassing both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal with his 21st major, just underwent a reset. World number two Daniil Medvedev denied—or deferred, at least—that place in history with a shocking and almost perfect 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 victory at Arthur Ashe Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. As Djokovic’s final shot hit the net, Medvedev collapsed sideways onto the court, seemingly in disbelief at his first Grand Slam title. A few minutes later, Djokovic was in tears in his chair with a towel over his head and his face in his hands, his streak of 27 straight victories at an end.
“I was thinking about both scenarios and visualizing myself standing in front of you and what I would say,” Djokovic said, addressing the crowd after the match. “Tonight, even though I didn’t win the match, my heart is filled with joy because you guys made me feel very special on the court. You guys touched my soul. I love you.”
Medvedev, who seems to have perfected playing tennis’s villain—when he was booed by the crowd two years ago at the Open, he cupped a hand to his ear, urging them to boo him even louder—is now, triumphantly, the sport’s greatest spoiler.
“I want to say sorry to you guys and the Novak fans,” Medvedev said before receiving his trophy. “And I’ve never said this before, but I’ll say it right now,” he continued, addressing Djokovic personally, “but you are the greatest player in history.” (He also paid tribute to his wife, Daria, on their anniversary, noting that “if I lose, I have no present.” Apparently, he simply had to bring the title home for her.)
The straight-sets upset capped a thrilling Open tournament—all the more so given the absence of some of the sport’s legends—with Emma Raducanu’s historic title run catching the world’s attention, culminating in yesterday’s victory over Leylah Fernandez.
Tennis’s Grand Slam hasn’t been achieved by a man since the legendary Rod Laver pulled it off in 1969. (Laver, ever the gentleman, was in attendance at today’s match, anticipating a kind of changing of the guard that, alas, was not to be.) Steffi Graf, it should be noted, managed a so-called Golden Slam—winning all four majors plus the Olympic gold—in 1988.
How did Medvedev do it? He’s been knocking at the door of a Slam for some time, making it as far as the finals twice. He did it by playing as he always does when he wins: perfecting a defensive-style baseline game in which he essentially serves as a human backboard for his opponent, returning virtually everything hit at him with non-flashy and unflappable ground strokes. He waits for his opponent to make a mistake, and he pounces. That’s what happened today in New York, with the normally error-free Djokovic missing shots by millimeters and Medvedev—aside from a few hiccups at match point at 5-2—simply not.
For the 34-year-old Djokovic, the historic dream is still possible. But he’ll have to start over from scratch at the Australian Open in January.