Every time Novak Djokovic wins, a mark falls and a new record is set. It’s as if with each new triumph in a Grand Slam tournament, he manages to write history differently. With a different pen or renewed prose. But in the case of the Joker, it’s not the literacy that matters, but rather the numbers.

With his victory against Daniil Medvedev in three sets of 6-3, 7-6 and 6-3 in the final of the United States Open on Sunday, Djokovic joined Margaret Court at the top of tennis history with 24 major titles. “I never believed it could become a reality. But in the last few years, I understood that I had a chance to write history,” emphasized the winner.

He now has two more than Rafael Nadal, his closest pursuer among the men.

However, the debate over who is the greatest champion in history is no longer relevant. Djoko put an end to it at Roland-Garros in June and he buried it for good during this other hot New York evening.

“I have 20 titles and I think I have a great career. While you have 24 in Grand Slams, so…” said Daniil Medvedev, after the match, towards his opponent.

His demonstration against Medvedev proved two things. First, he’s still hungry. It is even more so as we get older, one would say. Then if he is back in the world number one, it is above all because he is still able to adapt. And that is all its genius.

The flying man

Novak Djokovic has won the majority of his Grand Slam titles by excelling from the baseline. Out of the question for him to vary his game or go spontaneously to the net against aces in the rise and variation of shots like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Staying behind his line and returning all the balls was enough. Otherwise, he was no match.

But with age also comes a little more wisdom. And Djokovic managed to adapt. To change without distorting oneself. The 36-year-old will remain a parasite in the backfield until his retirement. However, to beat the youngest, he had to add strings to his bow.

Against Medvedev, he had his work cut out for him. Medvedev is not only the best long distance player of his generation, but he is also the best hard court player in the world.

From the first set, however, Djokovic showed him who was boss. With a break and a 3-0 lead, the Serb not only had the wind in his sails, but he was sailing above the biggest wave, seeing Medvedev’s threats for miles around. By mid-round, Djokovic had completely demolished and ruined his opponent’s game plan and patterns.

The next two sets were closer, mainly because the Russian recovered well on serve, but also because he began to vary his shots, in power and length.

It was at this moment that the Joker, visibly diminished and in pain, had to adapt. His mission was to shorten the exchanges. This meeting was not one of finesse, with exchanges of 27, 28 and sometimes 31 moves. This fight was one of titans. Where bullets fled and exclamations flew.

Djokovic was forced to deploy his last weapon: the volley. He went to the net 44 times. And he won the point 37 times. A sensational ratio and a superbly executed strategy.

“If I had known it was your wedding anniversary, maybe I would have played differently,” Djoko joked, looking at Medvedev’s wife in the stands after Medvedev apologized to of her for losing on this special day.

Consistency and versatility

At the end of a 3 hour and 17 minute battle, Djokovic put on a Lacoste jacket on which appeared a huge “24” made of crocodiles.

“I keep saying it, but I’m really living my childhood dream,” Djokovic admitted.

After a missed forehand from Medvedev ended in the net, the champion remained calm. His celebration was sober, almost disappointing. But it was with his family that he became himself again. Holding her daughter Tara, under the melody of Bulletproofby La Roux, and by grabbing the actor Matthew McConaughey, in his box, who arrived directly from Texas.

Everything came down to inches in this duel. Djokovic was imperfect. Medvedev was great. But the Serb was enough.

Some service games, lasting 12 and 13 minutes, were complex. The tiebreaker of the second set almost escaped him at 5-4. Medvedev even had a set point in the previous game.

But Djokovic being who he is, he found a way. Because he always finds it. By making another victim. “I believe you will be in several more finals. I don’t know when you plan to slow down,” Medvedev said.

In his last five major titles, Djokovic has beaten five different players: Medvedev on Sunday, preceded by Casper Ruud, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Nick Kyrgios and Matteo Berrettini. Five finals that can be dissected in unique ways. No clash went to five rounds.

For the fourth time in his career, after 2021, 2015 and 2011, Djokovic concludes the season having won three of the four major titles.

Like the great author he has become, Djokovic will have to wait some time before writing his next great story. Like JK Rowling or Stephen King, the next chapter of the saga is eagerly awaited. People will snap up copies, as if they would disappear over time. Yet every thing Novak Djokovic touches tends to transform into something immutable.