On the verge of creating history at the 2021 US Open on Sunday, World No. 1 Novak Djokovic entered the Arthur Ashe stadium as a huge favorite to capture his 21st major title and win a Calendar Slam. However, his opponent Daniil Medvedev had other plans.
Right from the start, the Russian was extremely dominant. He kept pushing Djokovic from one end of the court to the other, forcing error after error.
No matter what tried, the world number one was eventually beaten by Daniil Medvedev in straight sets 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. In the last few games of the third set, Djokovic displayed emotions on-court as he was seen sobbing into a towel during changeover.
Even during post-match presentation, the world number one teared up as he thanked the Arthur Ashe crowd for their overwhelming support throughout the night. Also, Medvedev was a deserving candidate for his debut major title considering his performances over the past couple of years.
After the match, former and current tennis players took to Twitter to express their own emotions. While there were plenty of congratulations for Medvedev and his amazing victory, there were sympathetic words for Djokovic as well for missing the chance of winning a calendar slam and 21 major titles.
Current and Former Tennis players react to the US Open final between Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev
Polish player Iga Swiatek was one of the first players to react to the match as she tweeted, " No... I'm not crying... I'M NOT CRYING... Ohh, who cares..."
No... I'm not crying... I'M NOT CRYING... Ohh, who cares... #usopen #Djokovic
- Iga Świątek (@iga_swiatek) September 12, 2021
Canadian tennis player Eugenie Bouchard also praised Novak for being so close to making history at the US Open.
" He was 1 MATCH AWAY from insane history!!!", the Canadian tweeted.
He was 1 MATCH AWAY from insane history!!! 🤯🤯🤯
- Genie Bouchard (@geniebouchard) September 12, 2021
The 2014 Wimbledon runner-up went on, praising Djokovic and calling him the GOAT ( Greatest Of All Time).
" Omg, I like Meddy don't get me wrong but history would have been amazing. Novak is the GOAT and deserves it".
Omg 😭😭😭😭 I like Meddy don't get me wrong but history would have been amazing. Novak is the GOAT and deserves it https://t.co/cihdy6PAuQ
- Genie Bouchard (@geniebouchard) September 12, 2021
Former tennis player Nicole Gibbs also expressed her happiness for the support Djokovic got at the Arthur Ashe stadium.
" Moment of poetry for him to finally feel the type of support and love he's been searching for in the moment of his most painful failure. Hopefully takes that feeling with him despite the incredible disappointment", Gibbs reacted.
Moment of poetry for him to finally feel the type of support and love he's been searching for in the moment of his most painful failure. Hopefully takes that feeling with him despite the incredible disappointment. https://t.co/8qdR47i0Ii
- Nicole Gibbs (@Gibbsyyyy) September 12, 2021
Andy Roddick, who won the US Open title in 2003, tweeted, " Flawless match strategy by Medvedev. He deserved the win today. We still need to acknowledge how phenomenal Novak was this year (and for 15 years) Was fun to watch. Congrats to both!!"
Flawless match strategy by Medvedev. He deserved the win today. We still need to acknowledge how phenomenal Novak was this year (and for 15 yesrs) Was fun to watch. Congrats to both!!
- andyroddick (@andyroddick) September 12, 2021
Former tennis player and Wimbledon doubles champion Paul McNamee also praised both the players for putting on an incredible show at the Arthur Ashe stadium.
" Today, for the first time this year, Djokovic is being outplayed by a guy who is fresher, hitting harder, serving better and believes his time has arrived. All you can say is 'too good'. Great run at the Grand Slam Novak Djokovic, and well played Daniil Medvedev ", tweeted Paul.
Today, for the first time this year, Djokovic is being outplayed by a guy who is fresher, hitting harder, serving better and believes his time has arrived. All you can say is 'too good'. Great run at the Grand Slam Novak Djokovic, and well played Daniil Medvedev.
- 🎗️ Paul McNamee (@PaulFMcNamee) September 12, 2021
Legendary tennis player Rod Laver also sent out his appreciation towards Daniil Medvedev and Novak Djokovic.
" Simply stunning Daniil Medvedev, you stopped one of the greatest tonight. To win your first Grand Slam title is always special, to do it against a champion like Novak Djokovic is something else. Take heart Novak, the quest continues. Best wishes."
Simply stunning Daniil Medvedev, you stopped one of the greatest tonight. To win your first Grand Slam title is always special, to do it against a champion like Novak Djokovic is something else. Take heart Novak, the quest continues. Best wishes, 🚀
- Rod Laver (@rodlaver) September 12, 2021
Having won his first and only major title at the 2009 US Open by defeating Roger Federer, Argentinian tennis sensation Juan Martin del Potro also sent out a congratulatory message for Medvedev.
" Congratulations Daniil Medvedev, well deserved! No words can describe how it feels to win your first US Open, but I bet you're the happiest man alive right now!", del Potro tweeted.
Congratulations @daniilmedwed, well deserved! No words can describe how it feels to win your first @usopen, but I bet you're the happiest man alive right now! pic.twitter.com/akmLx9DZYB
- Juan M. del Potro (@delpotrojuan) September 12, 2021
Tennis legend Billie Jean King also had praise for Medvedev for raising his game at the right moment and forcing errors out of Novak Djokovic.
" Congratulations to Daniil Medvedev ,the 2021 US Open Men's Singles Champion. Credit to Medvedev who played spectacularly. As Rod Laver would say, you can't have one bad match in a major, & Novak made too many unforced errors today. However, winning 3 of 4 Slams is remarkable".
Congratulations to @DaniilMedwed the 2021 #USOpen Men's Singles Champion.
Credit to Medvedev who played spectacularly.
As @rodlaver would say, you can't have one bad match in a major, & Novak made too many unforced errors today.
However, winning 3 of 4 Slams is remarkable.👏 https://t.co/TUevdDEjyS
- Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) September 12, 2021
Winner of the 2020 US Open men's singles, Dominic Thiem applauded Medvedev for putting up a dominant show against the world number one.
" What a performance! Congrats on your first Grand Slam title Daniil Medvedev!"
What a performance!
Congrats on your first Grand Slam title@DaniilMedwed ! 🏆🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/5tDpWX7yAu- Dominic Thiem (@ThiemDomi) September 12, 2021
It was a phenomenal end to one of the best years at the US Open. The tournament produced two debut winners after a series of amazing performance from players on both the men's and women's side.