Djokovic: “I was relieved when it was over”
Then it became too much for him too: A nervous and exhausted Novak Djokovic had no chance in the US Open final against Daniil Medvedev. After all, he got a lot of love.
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–And suddenly the tears flowed: Novak Djokovic at the last change of sides.
Photo: John Minchillo (AP Photo)
Novak Djokovic had never experienced so much love at the US Open. Most of the time, the New York audience has had its own over the yearsn Opponent supported. And if his name was Roger Federer, sometimes even in a nasty way like in the 2015 final. But this Sunday we wanted to experience New York tennis history. Again and again it echoed “Nole, Nole, Nole” through Arthur Ashe Stadium, even mistakes by Daniil Medvedev were applauded. But now that (almost) everyone wanted to see him win, Djokovic couldn’t make it anymore.
Rod Laver sat in the stands and was supposed to witness how the Serb was the first since he (1962, 69) made the Grand Slam. Djokovic had won 27 games this year in Melbourne, Paris and London, the 28th was his undoing. The last time he changed sides, the 34-year-old cried in his chair and pressed the terry towel to his face. He later said he burst into tears because the audience touched his heart. “I wasn’t expecting anything, but I will never forget the level of support, energy and love from the audience.”
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