Novak Djokovic equalled Margaret Court's long-standing record of 24 Grand Slam titles with a straight-sets win over Daniil Medvedev in the final of the US Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The 36-year-old - who will also return to world number one in the ATP rankings next week - prevailed 6-3 7-6[5] 6-3 to march to glory in New York for the fourth time, as well as winning his third major title of the year following triumphs at the Australian Open and French Open.
Drawing level with Court was not the only page of history written by Djokovic on Sunday night, as the Serbian became the oldest-ever male winner of the US Open in the Open Era and avenged his defeat to Medvedev in the 2021 Flushing Meadows showpiece.
The Russian third seed had played the match of his life to knock Carlos Alcaraz - who won the 2022 title in Djokovic's absence - out in the semi-finals, but his powers waned against an electrifying Djokovic, who served and volleyed to perfection and burst into tears before donning a shirt with '24' emblazoned on the back.
While denying Djokovic the chance to complete a calendar-year Grand Slam in 2021, Medvedev did not drop a set against the Serbian in the showpiece match at Flushing Meadows, but shortcomings on his second serve ensured that would not be the case this time around.
During Medvedev's first service game, a blistering down-the-line forehand saw Djokovic bring up three break points, and an unforced error on the forehand side from the third seed saw the second seed draw first blood immediately.
A couple of chances came and went for Djokovic to clinch the set on Medvedev's serve, as the Russian came through a gruelling eighth game, but he proceeded to slightly overcook a forehand as Djokovic deservedly took the opener.
Medvedev began to tighten up in his service games during a closely-fought second set with plenty of breathtaking rallies, but he was still failing to make inroads on the Djokovic serve as the Serbian enjoyed three consecutive love holds before the 2021 winner began to threaten.
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In his fourth service game, Djokovic would almost certainly cede the break as Medvedev connected with a crisp down-the-line backhand return, but the 36-year-old somehow clipped a deft forehand half-volley over the net from the service line before holding.
Medvedev may have thought his time had come in a disastrous 12th game for Djokovic, who double-faulted twice and sent a slice into the net to give up a set point, but the Serbian found the mark yet again with a slick serve-and-volley to force a tie-breaker.
Medvedev would earn the first mini-break for a 2-0 lead, but Djokovic swiftly responded, and the Russian soon sent a backhand into the net on serve as the second seed moved one set away from stardom.
As Djokovic departed for a comfort break, Medvedev received treatment for a shoulder niggle, which did not do him much good initially as he overcooked a backhand to fall 3-1 down in the third set.
However, the third seed was offered a glimmer of hope straight after, as Djokovic double-faulted and sent a cross-court backhand wide to allow Medvedev to break back immediately, only for his hard work to count for nought as he netted a backhand to fall 4-2 down.
A timely ace saw Medvedev successfully serve to stay in the match before Djokovic double-faulted again to gift the Russian two points while he was serving for the crown, but another poor backhand brought up Djokovic's first Championship point.
Medvedev went for power on a cross-court forehand, but his shot slammed into the net to cement Djokovic's place atop the Grand Slam charts alongside Court, and the players embraced at the net before Djokovic collapsed in ecstasy on the Arthur Ashe court.
Ben Knapton
