Daniil Medvedev spurned Novak Djokovic’s classy act of sportsmanship

An act of pure class from Novak Djokovic was rejected during his epic US Open final triumph — and it has not gone unnoticed

As always, the scoreboard doesn’t tell the whole story of Monday’s epic US Open final where Novak Djokovic was pushed to breaking point by Daniil Medvedev.

The contest was very much in the balance in the second set tiebreak before the 24-time grand slam champion showed why he is arguably the greatest player to ever pick up a racquet by striking a killer blow.

After winning the insane, 104-minute second set 7-5 in the tiebreak, there was no stopping the Serbian terminator, who won back his New York crown 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 — exacting revenge for his loss to Medvedev in the 2021 US Open final.

It moves him clear of Serena Williams for Grand Slam wins in the Open era.

The 36-year-old was out on his feet after the brutal second set where he was barely able to get off the ground on some of his service actions as a result of sheer exhaustion.

It continued early in the third set where Djokovic’s tactics of using drop shots continued to prove fruitful.

There was one moment at 1-1 in the third set where Medvedev collapsed forward after skidding on a line while diving forwards to retrieve a drop shot.

Daniil Medvedev ignored Novak Djokovic's hand. Photo: Twitter, Craig Gabriel, Jose Morgado.

The Russian was left lying on his back while the crowd went berserk at the end of another marathon rally.

Djokovic followed it up by checking on Medvedev before he climbed over the net to offer a hand to his opponent, who was still on the ground sucking in deep breathes.

Having flashed Djokovic a thumbs up before he crossed the net, Medvedev refused Djokovic’s out-stretched hand offer to help him back to his feet.

It appeared to be a simple case of Medvedev needing more time to get back to his feet.

The other side to the exchange was a demonstration of Djokovic’s sheer dominance of his opponent.

While Medvedev was able to avoid the mental forfeiture of needing his opponent’s help, the act of sportsmanship was not lost on tennis commentators.

Tennis journalist Craig Gabriel referred to them as “standover tactics”.

Sportsmanship in the heat of battle 🤝

📹 - @usopen#USOpen

pic.twitter.com/PbOkDSWJRf

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) September 10, 2023

Medvedev wanted to get up by himself there...

Refused the help of Djokovic. pic.twitter.com/acXHeoS7iE

— José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 10, 2023

pic.twitter.com/72VdohN5KD

— Ricky Dimon (@Dimonator) September 10, 2023

“He wants to stay down for the eight-count,” an American commentator said on ESPN, referring to boxing rules that allow fighters to stay down on the ground for up to ten seconds before they are counted out.

“Daniil’s not ready to get up yet. That’s a nice moment.”

As Aussie great Jelena Dokic said at the time — borrowing former US Open champ Andy Roddick’s famous phrase — Djokovic “first takes your legs and then he takes your heart and your soul”.

The two combatants were nothing but class when speaking about each other during the trophy ceremony that followed the match.

Medvedev was gracious in defeat and heaped praise on the dominance of his opponent.

“First of all I want to ask Novak, what are you still doing here? C’mon. ... I feel like I have not a bad career and I have 20 titles. You have 24 Grand Slams. Wow,” he said.

He later said: “When we first played I was probably 500th in the world. And he was super kind to me,” Medvedev said.

“Nothing special, but he treated me like a normal person. And he still does. Nothing changed: 24, 30, 12 Grand Slams? Nothing changes.

Stefan and Novak celebrate. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)

Novak grabs Tara out of the crowd to celebrate. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

“And I think that’s something great about a person you can say.”

Djokovic’s win makes him the oldest US Open champion of the Open era since Ken Rosewall back in 1970 and secures him his fourth US Open crown.

In heartwarming scenes after his victory Djokovic celebrated with his children Stefan and Tara before reveling in the moment with his team.

“It means the world to me. I’m really living my childhood dream,” Djokovic said.

“To compete at the highest level in the sport that has given me and my family so much coming from very difficult circumstances and adversities during the 90s, a couple of wars in our country and being able to push that through.

“Especially for my parents, giving a lot of sacrifice to support me and play this very expensive sport at the time, not affordable.

“I fell in love with tennis, it was quite a choice, but incredible resilience, believe from my parents and all the people around me all these years, everyone. This is your trophy as much as is mine. I love you.”