Looking for Tennis and Racket Sports International News?

Novak Djokovic paid tribute to basketball legend Kobe Bryant after securing his 24th major title.

After shaking hands with his opponent, Daniil Medvedev, Djokovic put on a shirt that read ‘Mamba Forever’, with a photo of Djokovic and Bryant.

“I thought of doing this T-shirt eventually if I got the chance to win the tournament. It was about seven days ago. I didn't share it with anyone until a few days ago when I asked my people to help me out to make this shirt,” Djokovic said during the trophy ceremony. “Kobe was a close, close friend. We chatted a lot about the winner's mentality when I was struggling with an injury and trying to make my comeback, work my way back to the top of the game."

Djokovic, who has often spoken about the impact Bryant had on him, explained that the late Los Angeles Laker star was one of the people he relied on the most.

“He was always there for any kind of counsel advice, any kind of support in the most friendly way,” Djokovic said. “So, of course, what happened a few years ago, him and his daughter passing, hurt me deeply and I thought 24 is the jersey that he wore when he became a legend of the Lakers and world basketball. So I thought it could be a nice symbolic thing to to acknowledge him.”

Novak Djokovic extended his 'Big Titles' dominance on Sunday when he defeated Daniil Medvedev to win the US Open.

The Serbian star has now claimed 24 Grand Slam trophies, equalling Margaret Court's record for most major singles crowns in tennis history. Having also won the Australian Open and Roland Garros this year, Djokovic is the first man to win three majors in a season on four occasions (2011, 2015, 2021).

Djokovic continues to build his lead over Rafael Nadal in the 'Big Titles' race, now holding 69 such trophies. A 'Big Title' is a combination of Grand Slam championships, trophies at the Nitto ATP Finals and ATP Masters 1000 tournaments, and Olympic singles gold medals.

The 36-year-old has triumphed at four such events this season, emerging victorious in Melbourne, Paris, Cincinnati and now New York. It is the 11th year in which he has captured at least four 'Big Titles'.

Djokovic has claimed one ‘Big Title’ for every 3.1 events played (69/216). There is only one other player who has triumphed at a rate of more than one for every four events played: Nadal (3.5).

Novak Djokovic is two sets from securing his 24th Grand Slam title.

Two years after suffering a stunning upset to Daniil Medvedev in the US Open final, the Serbian leads the 27-year-old 6-3 inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The last time the pair met at Flushing Meadows, Djokovic was trying to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win all four majors in the same season. On that occasion, he was unable to find his best tennis and a surging Medvedev triumphed in straight sets.

Djokovic is in much better form Sunday. He broke serve in his first return game of the match en route to a 3-0 lead and has been locked in from the baseline, where he has played aggressively in rallies to prevent his opponent from settling in.

Medvedev has not played poorly, but the second seed has just been a little bit sharper in gruelling points. Djokovic has not forced his way forward as much as Carlos Alcaraz did on Friday against Medvedev, but he has served-and-volleyed to take advantage of his opponent's deep return position five times, winning four of those points.

Roger Federer and Andy Roddick headlined the list of ATP stars who congratulated Coco Gauff on social media following her US Open victory.

Others who sent the American well wishes were her coach, Brad Gilbert, Rod Laver and longtime friend Christopher Eubanks.

“Inspirational win @CocoGauff ?,” Federer wrote. “Been watching your ?and following you for years. It’s great to see so much hard work and passion being rewarded. You shine brighter than ever. ?”

Inspirational win @CocoGauff ?,
Been watching your ? and following you for years. It’s great to see so much hard work and passion being rewarded.
You shine brighter than ever?#TEAM8 pic.twitter.com/BmtEnOz9O0

⁦.. ⁦@bgtennisnation⁩ ⁦@CocoGauff⁩ Just epic. Couldn’t be happier for BG and Coco ! pic.twitter.com/7gopdp43pA

The International Tennis Writers’ Association has held a presentation at the US Open to officially present Quentin Moynet as the winner of the 2023 Tom Perrotta Prize for Tennis Journalism.

The annual prize, which was inaugurated in 2022, is awarded to a writer aged 35 or under who shows excellence in tennis journalism and includes a cash prize of $2,000.

Moynet, a writer for the renowned sports newspaper, L’Equipe, in his native France, came out on top from a very strong list of entries, which were judged blind by a panel consisting of three leading tennis journalists.

"I'm thrilled and honoured to receive the 2023 Tom Perrotta Prize," Moynet said in August, when he was initially announced as the winner. "I didn't have the chance to really know Tom before he sadly passed away, but I've heard on many occasions what a great journalist and human being he was. This prize is such a good idea and I hope it goes on for decades to keep promoting tennis journalism.

"I'd like to thank Tom's family and the ITWA for this initiative, the members of the jury for their votes, my newspaper L'Equipe, which gives me many opportunities to do my job in good conditions, and also Caroline Garcia and Lucas Pouille, who trusted me enough for these feature articles." 

Once Daniil Medvedev has control, he rarely relinquishes it.

In 2023, the World No. 3 has lost just once in 48 tour-level matches in which he has won the first set. Adrian Mannarino’s 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 second-round victory in ‘s-Hertogenbosch in June makes the Frenchman the only owner of a comeback victory against Medvedev this season.

Medvedev’s masterclass in frontrunning is not a new trend, either. He is now 272-28 across his career after winning the opening set. Those statistics from Infosys ATP Stats suggest the 27-year-old will take a big step towards his second major title by starting fast against Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s US Open championship match.

Highest Win Percentage After Winning First Set, 2023

A look at Medvedev’s previous victories against Djokovic also suggests the opening set could be crucial. Four of his five Lexus ATP Head2Head victories against the Serbian came after he won the first set, with his only comeback victory coming in the pair's Cincinnati semi-final in 2019.

Is Daniil Medvedev about to crash Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic’s party at the front of the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Turin?

Medvedev’s US Open semi-final triumph on Friday night against race leader Alcaraz has opened the door for the 27-year-old as he looks to haul in his two rivals. Should Medvedev defeat Djokovic in Sunday's championship match to claim his second crown at Flushing Meadows, he would move to 7,390 points in the Live Race, within 785 points of Alcaraz in first and 755 of Djokovic in second.

Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Turin (entering US Open Final)

That would raise the prospect of a three-way battle playing out across the final few months of the season to become ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by Pepperstone. It would also leave Medvedev full of confidence heading into a part of the season in which he has historically excelled.

The World No. 3 is a former champion at the final two ATP Masters 1000 events of the year, the Rolex Shanghai Masters (where Medvedev won in 2019) and the Rolex Paris Masters (2020). He was also the 2020 champion at the Nitto ATP Finals, where he will compete for the fifth consecutive year after sealing his qualification for the prestigious season finale last Monday.

There have been 14 previous tour-level meetings between Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev, but there may be only one in the back of each player’s mind as they step out Sunday on Arthur Ashe Stadium to compete in the US Open championship match.

Medvedev’s straight-sets victory in the 2021 final at Flushing Meadows is not only remembered as the moment he lifted his maiden major trophy. With his 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win, he also denied Djokovic a historic calendar-year Grand Slam. The 27-year-old is not counting on a similar outcome this time around.

“I think the only way I can use [the 2021 final] is thinking that Novak, when he loses, he's never the same after. He's different. It's just a different mentality,” said Medvedev on Friday night after downing top seed Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals. “That's why he has 23 Grand Slams, [all those] Masters 1000s and weeks at No. 1.

“So I have to use it knowing that he's going to be 10 times better than he was that day, and I have to be, if I want to still beat him, 10 times better than I was that day. That's what I'm going to try to do.”

Medvedev in action against Carlos Alcaraz on Friday in New York. Photo Credit: Al Bello/Getty Images

Gilles Cervara opened a bite-sized chocolate during the US Open semi-final between his charge, Daniil Medvedev, and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz. The inside of the candy wrapper read “Today is your day".

That proved prophetic as 2021 titlist Medvedev ousted the top seed in four sets to reach his third US Open final.

“There is the first step in the beginning of the match, like two years ago against Novak [Djokovic] in the final. I was wondering straight away if he could resist Carlos,” Cervara told ATPTour.com after Medvedev’s win. “Straightaway I felt that it was that kind of day, that kind of match where you could do it. I've seen all the first set, the tie-break, then the second set.

“After I was a bit worried in the third set, when Carlos played amazing. He had amazing moments. But in the first part of the match, I thought that was one of these days where he could do it.”

Medvedev explained after his victory that he felt he had reached a 12 out of 10 with his performance against the Spaniard. “To beat him, you need to be better than yourself and I managed to do it," he said. Cervara agreed.

They had not met until two weeks ago, but that did not stop Anna Danilina and Harri Heliovaara from charging to US Open mixed doubles glory this fortnight in New York.

The scratch pairing downed top seeds Austin Krajicek and Jessica Pegula 6-3, 6-4 on Saturday to lift the trophy at the hard-court Grand Slam. Each became a major champion for the first time.

“We stayed here for a long time, three weeks in New York. But it was worth it, every minute,” said Heliovaara, the Finn who is No. 25 in the Pepperstone ATP Doubles Rankings. “Happy to lift the trophy… I have to thank my partner. She is the reason we’re standing here. I didn’t know you two weeks ago, but now I know you very well. Thank you very much Anna.”

“I have no words," said Kazakhstan’s WTA star Danilina, who was playing in her second major championship match after reaching the Australian Open women’s doubles final in 2022. "It was an amazing run. I don’t know what to say, it’s been a pleasure. To many more."

Danilina and Heliovaara were sharp on return throughout the 72-minute final on Arthur Ashe Stadium. They broke Krajicek’s serve in the second game of the match and completed their win having converted three of six break points they earned.

Daniil Medvedev was happy with his performance Friday evening when he ousted defending champion Carlos Alcaraz to reach the US Open final. But the 2021 titlist knows the job is not done.

“I said I need to play 11 out of 10, all three sets I won I managed to do it. In the third set I would say I was maybe nine and a half, maybe 10 out of 10, and as we saw it was not enough against Carlos,” Medvedev said. “I managed to play well, I managed to serve well, hit some lines in important moments, some great shots.Just really happy, but the tournament is not over.”

Medvedev now faces the man whom he stunned at Flushing Meadows two years ago for his first major championship: Novak Djokovic. The Serbian eliminated American Ben Shelton earlier in the day.

“Against Novak, it's the same. He is always better than previous time he plays. For example, I beat him in the US Open final, he beat me in Bercy in a great match. Carlos beat him at Wimbledon, he beat him in Cincinnati,” Medvedev said. “Novak is going to be his best version on Sunday, and I have to be the best-ever version of myself if I want to try to beat him.”

In the 2021 final, Djokovic was trying to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win all four majors in the same season. Instead, Medvedev sent him off the court with a straight-sets defeat. But Medvedev is expecting a much better version of Djokovic this time around.

Carlos Alcaraz has been described by many tennis experts as the most complete player they have ever seen for a 20-year-old.

But after failing to stop a red-hot Daniil Medvedev in the US Open semi-finals Friday night, the Spaniard says there is still work to do.

“He played a really, really great game. I couldn't find solutions,” Alcaraz said. “I thought that right now I am a better player [who can] find solutions when the match is not going in the right direction for you. But after this match, I’m going to change my mind. I'm not mature enough to handle these kind of matches. So I have to learn from that.”

Brutal honesty, indeed. Alcaraz seemed to have the right game plan early in the match, winning his first 18 net approaches as he looked to exploit Medvedev’s deep-court position, especially on the return of serve. But his net game deserted him in the first-set tie-break and then in the second he couldn’t find the answers to halt Medvedev’s charge.

Alcaraz hit 45 winners to Medvedev’s 38, but the 2021 US Open champion largely won the day in baseline exchanges. Alcaraz came to net 70 times – exactly double his net approaches against Alexander Zverev in the quarter-finals – but even winning 77 per cent of those points was not enough.

A player saying he’s taking it one match at a time is perhaps the most well-worn cliché in tennis. Novak Djokovic takes it one Grand Slam final at a time.

The Serbian will be lacing up in a Grand Slam final for the fourth time this year when he meets Daniil Medvedev or Carlos Alcaraz in the US Open final on Sunday. Already the record holder of 23 men’s Grand Slam singles crowns, the 36-year-old will attempt to equal Margaret Court’s record of 24 majors.

[ATP APP]

Djokovic fell victim to the weight of history on Arthur Ashe Stadium two years ago when, playing for the chance to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to complete a calendar year grand slam, the Belgrade native fell in straight sets to Medvedev.

That’s why on Sunday, in his 36th major final, he’ll be taking it one Grand Slam final at a time.

Daniil Medvedev is one set from upsetting Carlos Alcaraz for a place in the US Open final. The winner will play 23-time major champion Novak Djokovic on Sunday for the title.

Medvedev entered the match having lost his past two Lexus ATP Head2Head meetings against the Spaniard this season. Alcaraz won all five sets they played in those clashes and did not lose more than three games in any of those sets.

But despite a clear, successful net-rushing tactic that has seen Alcaraz win 27 of 35 of net points (77%) through two sets, Medvedev leads 7-6(3), 6-1. Alcaraz is 9-1 in five-setters and 5-0 at Flushing Meadows, but the 20-year-old has never rallied from two sets down.

Medvedev is closing in on a rematch of the 2021 US Open final, in which he claimed his maiden major crown by stunning Djokovic in the final. It had been a subpar North American hard-court summer by the 27-year-old’s standards, losing in the quarter-finals in Toronto and the third round in Cincinnati.

[ATP APP]

Novak Djokovic moved to within one win of capturing his 24th major title on Friday when he defeated American Ben Shelton 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(4) to reach a record-equalling 10th US Open final, matching Bill Tilden’s mark.

Playing his 100th match at the hard-court major, the three-time champion demonstrated why he is widely considered the best returner of all time. The Serbian showed great anticipation and hands to neutralise Shelton’s thunderous serve, clinching victory after two hours and 40 minutes against the 20-year-old, who was the youngest American to reach the last four since Michael Chang in 1992.

"These are the kinds of matches and occasions that I still thrive on and get me going and inspire me every day to try and work as hard as the young guys," Djokovic said. "The Grand Slams are the ones that motivate me the most to play my best tennis, perform my best tennis. I knew prior to the quarter-finals that I would play an American player and that is never easy. To control the nerves and be composed in the moments that matter. Today things were going really smoothly for me and then he broke back and it was anyones game at the end of the third set. This is the kind of atmosphere we all like to play in, so I am really, really pleased with this win today."

Djokovic, who broke Shelton five times, has now reached the final at all four majors in the same season for the third time in his career (2015, ’21). The 36-year-old also continued his quest to become the oldest man to win the US Open singles title in the Open Era (since 1968). Then-35-year-old Ken Rosewall triumphed in Flushing Meadows in 1970.

"Discipline is everything. I think it is a combination of discipline, will power and clarity of what you want to do," Djokovic said on reaching his 36th major final. "What your short and long-term goals are. I have been pleased to play this sport for many years and have achieved a lot. I still feel I have something in my legs left. I feel I still have a lot to give to the sport. Another Grand Slam final, I can't be happier."

Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden fell short in the US Open men’s doubles final on Friday against Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury, but Bopanna earned plenty of respect for a memorable act of sportsmanship.

At 2-4 in the final set, Eden hit a forehand that grazed the Indian’s right arm. The chair umpire did not notice the touch, but Bopanna called it on himself, forfeiting the point.

“When Matt hit that forehand crosscourt, the ball hit my elbow. I don't think anybody really saw it, So I claimed it on myself,” Bopanna said. “That's the person I have been through my career, and I really feel if something — it doesn't matter what the scoreline or what the occasion of the match is — if something was not right, it was not right.

"Straightaway I went and told the referee that the ball had touched. I think she was confused too at what is happening.”

Ebden added: “The only one in the stadium who saw it hit you was me. Because I was right behind you, so I saw it deviate off you slightly.”

Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury made history at the US Open on Friday when they became the first team in the Open Era (since 1968) to win three straight doubles titles at the hard-court major.

The American-British pair produced a hard-fought display to earn a comeback 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory against Matthew Ebden and 43-year-old Rohan Bopanna, who was the oldest Grand Slam doubles finalist in the Open Era.

Ram and Salisbury have now won their past 18 matches in New York, having triumphed at the event in 2021 and 2022. They have clinched four major titles together, also lifting the 2020 Australian Open trophy.

“I have been lucky enough to come here every year since I was 14 and I remember the Arthur Ashe Kids Day the first day this stadium opened in I think 1997, with John McEnroe and Pete Sampras," Ram said during the trophy ceremony. "Just to be out here, I have tonnes of family here and the whole team in the box. It is something I could never have thought of in my wildest dreams and I have got to thank so many people, but especially my partner.

“This is our fifth year together. It hasn’t been the best year together but we stuck it out and put in a lot of hard work and kept believing. It was pretty emotional after yesterday’s win but today I can’t believe we are here.”

In April 2021, Rohan Bopanna was wondering why he was still playing tennis. The Indian star had just lost a match in Estoril with Alexander Bublik. He had lost all seven matches he had played to start the season and won only one set.

“I was sitting near the ocean and I was telling myself, ‘What am I even doing? I'm not even winning matches, I have a family at home. Should I just call it a day and just go back?’” Bopanna told ATPTour.com. “Our daughter was four years old right now and I thought, ‘Why not? Let's do that.’”

Instead, Bopanna continued on and is playing some of the best tennis of his career. On Thursday, the 43-year-old became the oldest Grand Slam doubles finalist in the Open Era. Bopanna and Matthew Ebden will play Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury Friday for the US Open title.

The Indian has won five ATP Masters 1000 titles with five different partners, but never a men’s doubles trophy at a major. Not bad for someone with no cartilage in his knees.

“It's worn out completely. It's just worn out. It's not a tear. Both my knees have no cartilage and in 2019 I was on two, three painkillers a day,” Bopanna said. “[In] 2020 I started Iyengar yoga, and that actually made a tremendous difference. I went from two, three painkillers a day to no painkillers today. I think the only time sometimes I take an anti-inflammatory is from playing two matches a day. At that time the body says, ‘Hello, please slow down, you still have no cartilage.’”

One word to describe Ben Shelton’s game is electric. From his thunderbolt serve to his aggressive game style, the 20-year-old brings everything that a fan would want to watch in a tennis match. His magnetic smile and willingness to involve the crowd have made him a showstopper.

Part of the Shelton box-office package at this US Open has been a signature celebration. After winning his matches, the former University of Florida star has pretended to pick up the phone and listened for a moment before slamming it back on the receiver.

“Our home phone when I was growing up in Atlanta was one like that. If I wanted to talk to my friends or call their home phone, see if they wanted to go outside and throw a football, that was what I did,” Shelton said. “But for me it's kind of like I'm saying I'm dialled in.”

Shelton explained that the celebration was inspired by another former Gator, Grant Holloway, a track star who has won several world championships in events including the 110-metre hurdles and the 60-metre hurdles.

“For me, when I pick up the phone, it's kind of just letting everybody know I can hear you talk," Holloway told ATPTour.com. "Just know I'm always going to answer and I'm always going to deliver. As Ben said, you stay dialled in.

Gilles Cervara is well aware of the challenge his player, Daniil Medvedev, will face Friday when he plays defending champion and top seed Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals. According to the Frenchman, players need to find a level beyond their best to compete with the likes of the Spaniard.

“To beat the best you have to play probably over your level, you have to find something different. You have to be in almost the best day of your year, and you have to create the conditions for this,” Cervara told ATPTour.com. “I think and I really believe as a person and as a coach that you have to find something deeper inside yourself, to be someone stronger and stronger.

“If I use an example, you probably know Dragon Ball Z. Superhero. You have to find this power inside yourself to be like a superhero, to be over the best you can do. That's what I think. And sports in general, I've always seen this all over the years. The No. 1 is almost unbeatable but someone is able to play over his best this day to beat him. And I think tomorrow is the day like this.”

In other words, a player needs to go into Super Saiyan mode. Medvedev will try to do just that as he tries to level his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Alcaraz at 2-2.

“I really believe that it's really possible if you find this energy, this mentality, this fire,” Cervara said. “Of course in your game, your game becomes stronger and stronger and then your opponent looks not to be at his best this day also because you are over this.