Viktor Yanchuk, a veteran voice in Soviet and Russian tennis who has coached at the highest echelons, highlighted Novak Djokovic’s deliberate preparation and tactical mindset ahead of the US Open final. Yanchuk explained that Djokovic studied each matchup with care, weighing past battles against Daniil Medvedev and pinpointing the exact moments to apply pressure. The remarks, presented in the Championship.com context, shed light on the mental framework that helped Djokovic navigate a grueling showdown and emerge victorious. They illuminate how a strategic approach can shape the outcome of a championship clash and place the match within the broader arc of the sport’s narrative.
According to Yanchuk, Djokovic entered the final with a well-defined plan: he identified the critical elements of his approach, selected a fighting style appropriate to the moment, and translated lessons from earlier defeats against Medvedev into concrete actions. The Serbian star did not improvise; instead, he built a game plan and adhered to it with disciplined consistency. He methodically dictated the rhythm of the match against Medvedev, leveraging opportunities that arose from careful preparation, and employed decisive, selective aggression only when it would yield the greatest benefit. The takeaway from Yanchuk is that Djokovic’s triumph was the result of a deliberate alignment of preparation, pattern recognition, and precise execution—a formula that has proven effective in today’s big-match tennis landscape.
The final unfolded on the night of September 11, Moscow time, evolving into a three-set battle that concluded 3:6, 6:7 (5), 3:6 after three hours and seventeen minutes of intense exchange. At 36 years old, Djokovic became the oldest champion in the history of the tournament, surpassing the long-standing record held by Australian icon Ken Rosewall at 35. This victory added Djokovic’s 24th Grand Slam title and his fourth US Open crown, reinforcing his standing as one of the sport’s enduring legends as the modern era continues to be defined by his presence on the court.
Medvedev, at 27, has endured a challenging run in Grand Slam finals, with this appearance marking his fourth final in the five major events. The Russian talent has faced Djokovic twice in major final settings and has played Nadal on multiple occasions, each encounter shaping his career trajectory and sharpening his mental and tactical toolkit. Medvedev’s path to the US Open title, which he captured in 2021 by defeating Djokovic in a three-set affair, underscores how closely the two players’ careers have intertwined, with rivalry and the lessons learned from high-stakes matches continuing to shape their journeys.
Earlier Djokovic explained his reluctance to celebrate immediately after defeating Medvedev, opting for a measured acknowledgment of the victory and a period of reflection on the strategic factors that drove the win. This stance reflects a philosophy of staying even-keeled in victory, maintaining focus on long-term consistency rather than quick triumphalism. It mirrors how top athletes manage post-match presence, balancing emotion with disciplined assessment of performance and future opportunities. The broader takeaway is that Djokovic values prudence and ongoing development as essential components of sustained success over a demanding season, underscoring a commitment to growth that transcends single matches and seasons alike.