The 2023 US Open provided fans worldwide with some of the most thrilling moments in recent sports history. And, with the year winding down to a close, why not look back at some of the most notable moments?
Novak Djokovic won his fourth US Open title and his 24th Grand Slam in 2023, tying Margaret Court’s record of the most major victories across all eras. The Serbian won the final against Daniil Medvedev in straight sets to become the player with the most major victories in the Open era.
Djokovic’s victory came after his loss to Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final earlier this year. In addition to Djokovic’s success, the US Open saw other notable moments, such as Thiem’s return to form after a wrist injury and Isner’s retirement announcement. Djokovic had a challenging third-round match, which he managed to win in five sets, before going on to win the tournament without dropping another set.
Djokovic expressed his joy and appreciation for the victory during the on-court trophy presentation, stating that making the history of the sport was something truly remarkable and special in every possible way. The 36-year-old Serbian is now one singles title ahead of Serena Williams and is ranked first in the world rankings, replacing Alcaraz.
“It obviously means the world to me,” he said. “To make the history of this sport is something truly remarkable and special in every possible way and in every meaning of the word ‘special.'”
The tournament also featured other notable moments, such as Dominic Thiem’s return to form after a wrist injury, which saw him win his first Grand Slam match in 2½ years. The Australian had lost his previous six matches at Slams before his recent victory.
This year’s tournament was about more than just the remarkable athletic performances; it also marked a notable development in the world of sports betting. With the legalization and regulation of sports betting in North Carolina, as well as the likes of New York, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky, enthusiasts had the opportunity to engage in legal betting, which added an additional layer of excitement to their experience of the tournament.
Meanwhile, John Isner announced he would retire after the tournament, which meant that his loss to fellow American Michael Mmoh was the last singles match of his career. The 38-year-old had an impressive career, known for his monster serves and for winning the longest match in tennis history (11 hours and five minutes over a three-day span at Wimbledon in 2010).
Djokovic’s third-round match against the 28-year-old Laslo Djere was a real thriller, with Djokovic coming from two sets down to win in nearly four hours and five sets. With the win, he avoided his earliest exit from the tournament since 2006. The message Djokovic sent to the rest of the field was that he was still able to play five sets deep at night. Djokovic went on to win the tournament without dropping another set, sending a strong message.
Alexander Zverev won a long five-set match against Jannik Sinner, which lasted for four hours and 41 minutes. Zverev, who missed eight months due to an ankle injury, said that the match was an indication of his return to the game. During the fourth set, a fan seated behind the chair umpire yelled something that Zverev considered to be an offensive remark. The fan was removed from the stadium, and play resumed. Zverev’s victory secured his spot in the semifinals, where he lost to Carlos Alcaraz.
In another match, unranked player Ben Shelton defeated No. 10 Frances Tiafoe to reach the semifinals. Shelton’s powerful serves and his phone-call celebration made the match a thrilling event. Despite being an unexpected contender, Shelton’s performance was impressive, and he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play in the tournament.
Daniil Medvedev defeated Alcaraz to advance to the final. He had lost to Alcaraz in their previous two meetings, but he was determined to win this time. Medvedev’s service game was excellent, and he did not allow his opponent to gain any sort of advantage.
Alcaraz, on the other hand, struggled to keep his composure and make strategic decisions. And, after the match, he admitted that he needed to improve his mental toughness to handle such high-pressure situations.
“I thought that, right now, I am a better player to find solutions when the match is not going in the right direction for me,” he said. “But, you know, after this match, I’m going to change my mind. I’m not mature enough to handle these kinds of matches. I have to learn about it.”
