Tearful Novak Djokovic pays emotional tribute to ‘close friend’ after US Open win
Novak Djokovic struggled to hold back the tears as he paid tribute to a departed friend shortly before he collected the US Open trophy once again.
Djokovic secured his 24th Grand Slam title and became the oldest US Open champion in the Open Era after a gruelling victory over Daniil Medvedev.
The 36-year-old Serbian, who is back up to world No 1, beat third seed Medvedev 6-3, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 for a fourth Flushing Meadows crown.
Moments before he received the trophy from 2003 champion Andy Roddick, Djokovic revealed he decided the moment was right to pay tribute to American basketball legend Kobe Bryant.
Wearing a tee-shirt that featured an image of Djokovic and Bryant smiling and the number 24 on the back, Djokovic explained why he chose this moment to toast a sporting giant who was killed in a helicopter crash in January 2020.
“About a week ago, I thought about doing the tee-shirt,” Djokovic told the New York crowd.
“I didn’t share it with anyone until a few days ago.
“Kobe was a close friend, we chatted a lot about the winners mentality when I was struggling with injury and trying to work my way back to the top he was one of the people I relied on the most he was always there for support in the most friendly way.
“His passing hurt me deeply and 24 is the jersey he wore at Lakers so I thought it would be nice to acknowledge him.”
Djokovic went on to suggest he has exceeded his own expectations, as he won another Grand Slam title.
“To make history on this court is truly remarkable and special,” he added.
“In every way and every meaning of the word special. I had a dream when I was seven – I wanted to become the best player in the world and win Wimbledon that was the only thing I wanted.
“I started to dream new dreams, I never imagined I would be standing talking about 24 Grand Slams but the last couple of years I’ve felt I have a chance and I have a shot at history and why not grab it.
“This sport has given my family so much. Wars in our countries in the 1990s and being able to do this, sacrificing so much, especially my parents, to support me to play a sport that was very expensive at that time. Not accessible, not affordable, but I fell in love with tennis.
“No one in my family played tennis but incredible resilience and belief from my family. My wife, my kids, my team, this is your trophy as much as it is mine.”
Djokovic has done it again and as he shows no signs of slowing down, there is every reason to believe he could be back for another US Open final in 2024.
“I want to ask Novak what are you still doing here? I mean come on,” said Medvedev, as he wondered what motivated Djokovic to keep winning.
“I don’t know when you are planning to slow down a little bit. I feel like I have a good career, I have 20 titles, but you have 24 grand slams. Wow!”
They are words that could have been echoed by the entire sporting world.
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