His first major US Open win was enough for Daniil Medvedev to finally celebrate — and he made a video game move.
But the second seed dominated world number one Novak Djokovic To win 6-4 6-4 6-4 At Flushing Meadows on Sunday, he changed his mind.
He jumped and fell to the ground after turning his third championship point – a reference to the fall/dead fish goal celebration in the FIFA video game.
“Only the legends will understand, what I finally did was L2+ left,” he told the New York crowd.
Medvedev put in a nearly flawless performance to defeat Djokovic and end the Serbs’ hopes of winning the four Grand Slam titles on schedule and the 21st singles title.
He then revealed that he thought about celebrating while struggling to sleep one night.
“Not partying would be very boring, because I do it all the time,” Medvedev said.
“I want to do something, but I want to make it special.
“It’s not easy to get to the hard courts. I hurt a little, but I’m glad I made it legendary myself.”
After winning his first slam, Djokovic engaged to embrace the net before standing with his arms outstretched, to the applause.
He then returned to his seat to allow for a moment to indulge and seemed to ask his support fund to quiet their celebrations.
Medvedev reached his first Grand Slam final at Flushing Meadows two years ago, returning from two sets before losing in five matches to Rafael Nadal.
He took on the pantomime villain during his 2019 run, telling the audience that the boos gave him “a lot of energy” to win.
By the time of the final, he had won them, receiving several tall standing ovations as he fought hard against Nadal.
Referring to his experiences two years ago in the winner’s speech, he said, “I want to thank you guys [the crowd]. Today it might have been a bit more for Novak but that’s totally understandable.
“Throughout the week it gave me a lot of energy. Starting in 2019 a long time ago, it helped me until today. It wasn’t easy but thanks a lot guys.”
Medvedev also praised his wife Daria, jokingly saying that winning the title on her wedding anniversary was a good deed because he did not buy her a gift.
“During the tournament I couldn’t think of a gift. When I got to the final, I thought if I lost I would need to find a quick gift,” the 25-year-old said.
“I don’t have time to find a gift, I have to win this match.”
While the crowd was largely for Djokovic – they cheered loudly after he tied 5-4 in the third set. I said to tears Medvedev got a lot of support in Arthur Ashe.
It is the second time the two players have met in a Slam final this year after Djokovic beat Medvedev to win the Australian Open in February.
Djokovic was trying to become the sixth player to win a calendar tournament and the first man to do so since Rod Laver in 1969.
“I am sorry for you fans and Novak. We all know what he would have done today,” Medvedev told the audience.
“What you have achieved this year and throughout your career, for me, I have never said this before, you are the greatest tennis player in history.”
Medvedev is the first Russian since Maria Sharapova, who was in attendance on Sunday, to win the US Open singles title after winning in 2006.
He is also the first man since Nadal in 2010 to drop just one set en route to the title.
“Medvedev is a great athlete, he has great serve and all the shooting,” former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“He was the best player of the tournament, without a doubt – he only lost one set all the way and beat Djokovic in the final convincingly.
“He’s a very good player on any surface.”
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