Novak Djokovic was on the receiving end of a surprise battering at the US Open Final on Sunday night, at the hands of Daniil Medvedev, but it wasn't a surprise that his racket also took a battering.
History was made on the Arthur Ashe stadium on Saturday, when Emma Raducanu became the first qualifier to with a grand slam event, and more was expected to follow on Sunday.
Advert
Djokovic had the chance to win his fourth slam of the year, having already won the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon, which would have made him only the third man in history to win all four in the same year.
However, after a tough tournament for the world number one, in which he'd been on court five and a half hours longer than his Russian opponent, it wasn't to be.
Medvedev was better in all departments on the night but Djokovic just couldn't find his usual standards, missing shots he'd normally make quite easily at times, and he grew ever more frustrated.
It was no surprise when he let that frustration boil over in the second set and he completely destroyed his racket after a game that had really built up to the point that he needed some sort of outlet.
The moment of madness came at a pivotal point for Djokovic, he was broken early in the first set, as he had been on a couple of occasions earlier in the tournament, and struggled to find an opening on the Medvedev serve.
Advert
However at 2-1 in the second set, and with things on serve, the three time US Open champion had a chance to break and go ahead in the set.
On breakpoint Medvedev faulted on his serve, to give the world number one a perfect opportunity, however during the point from the second serve music started playing and the umpire had to call a let and for the point to be replayed.
Djokovic's frustrations grew further when he subsequently lost the point, he nearly swung out his racket but saw the ball girl coming to get the ball and thankfully withdrew the false shot, when he lost the next point the racket was destroyed, before Medvedev went on to hold his serve and then break in the very next game.
It's a good job the Serb did stop before launching the ball towards the ball girl as it would have resulted in him defaulting the match, something that happened to him a year before, when he hit the ball at a line judge and was knocked out of the same tournament.
Advert
Emotions turned to sadness before of the 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 loss, with the 20 time grand slam winner crying into his towel at the final changeover.
He gave an emotional speech after the match, thanking the fans for cheering him on. "I would like to say that tonight, even though I have not won the match, my heart is filled with joy and I’m the happiest man alive, because you guys made me feel very special. You guys touched my soul.
"I’ve never felt like this in New York, honestly. I’ve never felt like this. I love you guys. Thank you so much for your support. I love you and I’ll see you soon."
Advert
Generally the American crowd came under fire on social media for their booing and heckling of Medvedev towards the end of the match, as they were desperate to see the match go longer and for history to be made.
Sadly for them, and Djokovic, Sunday belonged to Medvedev and his first ever major tournament win.
Featured Image Credit: ESPNTopics: Tennis, Novak Djokovic, US Open
