Novak Djokovic won the U.S. Open on Sunday, defeating Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 in the men’s final to extend his record grand slam singles titles to 24. The world No. 2 has further cemented himself as one of the greatest tennis players ever — with Sunday’s win, he matches Margaret Court’s record for most all-time grand slam titles. In a rematch of the 2021 U.S. Open final, the Serbian avenged his loss to No. 3 seed Medvedev at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York to complete his triumphant return to the United States. “It obviously means the world to me,” Djokovic said after the match. “I’m really living my childhood dream to compete at the highest level in the sport that has given me and my family so much.” Playing in front of a who’s who crowd, Djokovic was in his usual dominant form in the first set, never facing a break point, while hitting 12 winners in nine games. The second set proved to be more competitive, as Djokovic and Medvedev exchanged games in a nail-biting back and forth, culminating in the Serb’s 7-5 tiebreak victory after an hour and 45 minutes. From there, with the momentum in his favor, Djokovic cruised to victory. With the victory, the 36-year-old becomes oldest man to win the U.S. Open singles title in the Open era and the first man to win three grand slam titles in a season for the fourth time — previously doing so in 2011, 2015 and 2021. Djokovic also extends his lead over Spaniard Rafael Nadal (22) and Switzerland’s Roger Federer (20) for most men’s singles titles of all time. Sitting in the front row during the game was Djokovic’s 6-year-old daughter, he said during a news conference after the match, sharing with reporters that she would smile at him when he needed her energy most. It was important to him that his daughter — as well as his 9-year-old son — got to experience their father win when they were old enough to understand the victory, he said. And as for what keeps him going, Djokovic said: “I don’t want to leave the sport if I’m still playing at the top.” After his win, an emotional Djokovic momentarily dropped to his hands and knees before walking toward his family in the stands to celebrate. When he returned to the court, Djokovic honored the late NBA superstar Kobe Bryant by changing into a blue shirt bearing a photo of himself and the Lakers legend with the words “Mamba Forever” emblazoned on the front, and the number 24 on the back. (SD-Agencies) Words to Learn 相關詞匯 【至關重要】 zhìguān zhòngyào mean the world be exceptionally valued and important 【緊張激烈的】 jǐnzhāng jīliè de nail-biting very exciting or worrying 本周日,諾瓦克?德約科維奇在美國網球公開賽男子決賽中以6比3、7比6和6比3的比分擊敗丹尼爾?梅德韋杰夫后奪冠,贏得了創紀錄的第24個大滿貫單打冠軍。 這位世界排名第二的選手進一步鞏固了自己比肩史上最偉大網球手的地位。憑借周日的勝利,他追平了瑪格麗特?考特保持的獲大滿貫冠軍次數最多的紀錄。 這場比賽重現了2021年的美網決賽,當年德約科維奇輸給了3號種子梅德韋杰夫,而這次塞爾維亞人在紐約阿瑟?阿什球場成功復仇,完成了美網的勝利回歸。 德約科維奇賽后說:“這對我來說意義重大。我實現了兒時夢想,在代表最高水平的賽場上拼殺,這項運動讓我和家人獲益匪淺。” 首盤比賽中,德約科維奇一如既往控制局面,不失一個發球局,在9局比賽中12次直接發球得分。第二盤競爭更加激烈,德約科維奇和梅德韋杰夫互保發球局,比分交替上升,最終塞爾維亞人在激戰1小時45分鐘后以7比5獲勝。從那時起,德約科維奇乘勝追擊輕松取勝。 憑借這場勝利,36歲的德約科維奇成為公開賽時代贏得美網單打冠軍年齡最大的選手,也是首位第四次在一個賽季中贏得三個大滿貫冠軍的選手 —— 他曾在2011年、2015年和2021年獲此佳績。 德約科維奇還在男子單打冠軍數量上超越了西班牙人納達爾(22次)和瑞士的羅杰?費德勒(20次),成為史上奪冠王。 德約科維奇在賽后的新聞發布會上說,他6歲的女兒整場比賽中坐在前排,在他最需要能量的時候對他微笑。 德約科維奇說,讓女兒和9歲的兒子看到自己贏得比賽很重要,因為他倆已足夠大,能理解什么是勝利。 至于是什么讓他堅持下來,德約科維奇說:“如果還能打頂級賽事,我就不想離開網球。” 奪冠后,情緒激動的德約科維奇跪倒在地,然后走向看臺和家人慶祝。 回到球場后,他換上了一件印有自己和湖人球星科比?布萊恩特合影的藍色球衣,球衣正面印著“永遠的曼巴”,背面印著科比的號碼24,以此向這位已故的NBA巨星致敬。(Translated by Debra) |