The Road to Flushing Meadows

The 2021 US Open represented more than just another major for Daniil Medvedev; it was the culmination of years of incremental progress, tactical refinement, and painful lessons in the crucible of Grand Slam finals. Medvedev arrived in New York as the world No. 2, having already established himself as the leading threat to the hegemony of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer. His previous Slam final appearances—a defeat to Nadal in the epic 2019 US Open final and a loss to Djokovic in the 2021 Australian Open final—had sharpened his competitive edge. In Melbourne earlier that year, Medvedev had taken a two-set lead against Djokovic before the Serb mounted a spectacular comeback, a memory that would fuel his resolve in New York.

Medvedev’s path through the draw was a masterclass in controlled aggression and mental fortitude. He dropped only one set in the entire tournament, a testament to his extraordinary form. He dismantled Richard Gasquet in straight sets, then dispatched Dominik Koepfer and Pablo Andujar with clinical precision. The fourth round saw him face Dan Evans, a tricky opponent known for his variety, but Medvedev’s relentless depth and power proved insurmountable. In the quarterfinals, he faced the big-serving Botic van de Zandschulp, who had been a surprise package, but Medvedev’s return game neutralized the Dutchman’s weapons, securing a straight-sets victory.

The semifinal was a rematch of the 2020 US Open semifinal, where Medvedev had lost to eventual champion Dominic Thiem. This time, Medvedev faced Felix Auger-Aliassime, a talented Canadian seeking his first major final. Medvedev’s experience and tactical intelligence were on full display. He neutralized Auger-Aliassime’s powerful serve with deep returns and forced the Canadian into unforgiving angles. The 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 scoreline flattered Auger-Aliassime; Medvedev was in complete control, dictating rallies with a balance of defense and offense that had become his trademark. The tennis world began to sense that this time, Medvedev would not be denied.

The Final: Stopping the Calendar Slam

The final was set against the backdrop of history. Novak Djokovic was chasing the first men’s calendar-year Grand Slam since Rod Laver in 1969. Having won the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon, Djokovic stood just one match away from immortality. The pressure was immense, but Medvedev played with the freedom of someone who had already proven he belonged at this level. He entered the Arthur Ashe Stadium with a clear game plan: disrupt the rhythm of the greatest returner in history by focusing on the serve and targeting the body.

From the first game, Medvedev executed his strategy flawlessly. He served with variety, mixing wide serves and body serves to prevent Djokovic from stepping into the court. The Serb’s return, normally a weapon, became a liability as Medvedev consistently sent the ball back with depth and spin. The key moment came early in the second set. After losing a tight first set 6-4, Djokovic looked to rally. He held serve easily in the first two games, but Medvedev’s pressure never relented. At 3-3 in the second set, Djokovic faced break point. A long rally ended with Medvedev forcing a backhand error. The break gave Medvedev the lead, and he never looked back. He won the second set 6-4, then steamrolled Djokovic 6-4 in the third to claim his first Grand Slam title. The final score: 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. The tennis world was stunned, not because Medvedev won, but because he had dismantled the world No. 1 with such precision and composure.

The victory had seismic implications. It ended Djokovic’s quest for the calendar Grand Slam, denied him a record-breaking 21st major, and marked the first time since 2016 that a player outside the Big Three had won a Grand Slam. Medvedev’s celebration was muted—a cool handshake and a modest fist pump—underscoring his calm professionalism. In the press conference, he acknowledged the magnitude of the moment: "I know that a lot of people wanted Novak to win the calendar Slam, but I was thinking about myself. I played my best tennis when it mattered most."

"Daniil played a perfect match. He was better than me in all departments. He served well, he returned well, he moved well. I was outplayed." — Novak Djokovic, post-match press conference

Key Tactical Elements That Decided the Final

Medvedev’s victory was built on a series of tactical decisions that frustrated Djokovic’s rhythm. The most critical was his serve placement. Medvedev directed nearly 70% of his serves at Djokovic’s body, particularly on the ad side, forcing the Serb to jam his returns. This neutralized Djokovic’s ability to use his backhand to redirect the ball and create angles. The tactic was especially effective on second serves, where Medvedev’s average second-serve speed of 114 mph was both heavy and well-placed.

Another key element was Medvedev’s return of serve. He stood unusually deep behind the baseline against Djokovic’s serve, absorbing the pace and using the spin to redirect the ball deep to the center of the court. This forced Djokovic to generate his own power, leading to uncharacteristic errors. Medvedev won 38% of his return points, a remarkable figure against a player who rarely gives away cheap points on his serve. The tiebreaks, too, were decisive. Medvedev’s mental resilience in the crucial moments—he faced only one break point in the entire match, saving it with a well-calibrated inside-out forehand—demonstrated his growth from the Australian Open heartbreak.

Medvedev also used his formidable court coverage to extend rallies. Known for his unusual playing style—flat groundstrokes, long limbs, and a two-handed backhand that can be both defensive and offensive—he forced Djokovic to hit through the court. The Serb, normally capable of pushing opponents behind the baseline, found himself attacking only to see Medvedev slide and retrieve, turning defense into offense. This style was particularly effective on the hard courts of Flushing Meadows, which reward consistent depth over flashy winners. For a deep dive into Medvedev’s evolving serve patterns, ATP Tour analysis offers detailed data.

The Broader Historical Context

Medvedev’s 2021 US Open victory did not occur in a vacuum. It came at a moment when the men’s tour was transitioning. The Big Three era was still ongoing, but the cracks were visible. Nadal missed the tournament due to injury, Federer was in the twilight of his career, and Djokovic, despite his dominance, had shown vulnerability in past Slam finals. Medvedev’s win signaled that a new generation was ready to take the mantle. He was the first player born in the 1990s to win a hard-court Slam (outside of Juan Martín del Potro’s 2009 US Open win) and only the second Russian man to win a major after Marat Safin’s 2005 Australian Open title.

The victory also had geopolitical and psychological dimensions. Medvedev had been a vocal critic of the conditions at some tournaments, including the Australian Open’s extreme heat policy, but in New York, he found a surface and atmosphere that suited his game. The crowd, initially supportive of Djokovic’s quest, was won over by Medvedev’s relentless play. The tournament marked the first US Open with full capacity since the pandemic began, and Medvedev’s performance provided a much-needed shot of excitement for the tennis world. The official US Open recap highlights the significance of the moment.

Impact on Medvedev’s Legacy

Winning the 2021 US Open transformed Medvedev from a perennial contender into a champion. It answered the criticism that he lacked the mental toughness to close out the biggest matches. The victory also had immediate ranking implications: Medvedev became the world No. 1 for the first time in February 2022, a position he held for 16 weeks. More importantly, he proved that his game could overwhelm even the most decorated players on the sport’s biggest stage. His legacy as a tactician and a giant-killer was secured.

However, the win also brought increased expectations. Medvedev’s subsequent Slam results have been mixed. He reached the Australian Open final again in 2022 but lost to Nadal in a five-set thriller after leading two sets to love. He advanced to the semifinals of Wimbledon in 2024 and the US Open in 2023, but he has not won another major since 2021. The 2021 US Open remains the pinnacle of his career, and the question of whether he can replicate that level of excellence looms large. Tennis.com’s analysis explores whether Medvedev can be a one-Slam wonder or compile a bigger trophy cabinet.

Challenging the Big Three: A New Era?

Medvedev’s victory was a blueprint for how to defeat the Big Three in their prime. He combined exceptional serving with a style that neutralized Djokovic’s strengths. This blueprint was later adopted by other players, including Carlos Alcaraz, who beat Djokovic in the 2023 Wimbledon final using similar tactics of serve depth and aggressive returning. Medvedev’s win also highlighted the importance of being a "bad matchup" for a champion. His flat, penetrating groundstrokes and low net clearance made it difficult for Djokovic to use his signature defensive skills to turn defense into offense.

Yet, Medvedev’s challenge to the Big Three was not sustained. Injuries, changes in surface, and the emergence of Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have shifted the hierarchy. Medvedev remains a top-5 player, but his game is particularly suited to hard courts. On clay, his movement and offensive capabilities are limited, and on grass, his lack of net play and consistent power have been exposed. Still, his 2021 US Open win proved that the Big Three were not invincible and that a player with a unique game could dominate on a given day. For a discussion of how Medvedev’s win changed the narrative, The Guardian’s match report captures the moment’s importance.

Future Prospects: Building on the Triumph

As of 2025, Medvedev’s career sits at a crossroads. At 29 years old, he still has time to add to his Slam tally, but the competition has intensified. Alcaraz and Sinner have won multiple majors, while Djokovic continues to defy age. Medvedev’s consistency on hard courts—he has reached the quarterfinals or better in 12 of his last 14 hard-court Slams—suggests that another title is possible. His mental fortitude, honed by the 2021 title, remains a strength. He has also refined his serve and added more slice backhands to his game, making him harder to read.

To win another major, Medvedev may need to adapt his game to modern trends. The serve-and-volley revival and use of drop shots have become more prevalent, and Medvedev’s baseline-heavy style may need tweaking. However, his 2021 blueprint—using variety in serve placement and return depth—is still effective. If he can stay healthy and maintain his fitness, the US Open remains his best chance. The memory of that straight-sets demolition of Djokovic will serve as a constant reminder of what he is capable of.

Conclusion: The Defining Victory

Daniil Medvedev’s 2021 US Open championship was more than a single triumph; it was a statement that the men’s game was evolving. By denying Novak Djokovic the calendar Grand Slam, Medvedev etched his name into tennis history. He proved that relentless strategy, unwavering composure, and a willingness to adapt could overcome the greatest player of all time on his best surface. For Medvedev, the win validated his rise from a lanky, unorthodox player to a Grand Slam champion. It remains the high point of his career, a benchmark of excellence, and a story that continues to define his legacy. Whether he wins another major or not, his 2021 US Open run will always be remembered as the moment a new champion arrived, and the Big Three’s invincibility began to crack.