Novak’s road to 24th

In men’s tennis history, 152 players were victorious on Grand Slam tournaments.  8 of them won 10 or more titles, 21 did it 5 or more times, 49 won at least twice and 66 were Grand Slam champions just once.

This year’s US Open has an all-time high of $65 million in player compensation, an increase of 8% from last year’s total prize money of $60 million.  This includes $1,000 travel vouchers for all competitors, $600 daily stipend for hotel accomodations as well as meal allowances.

In his record 36th majors singles finals, Novak Djokovic, at 36-years old became the oldest US Open champion with 24 Grand Slam victories.  He also becomes the first man to win 3 Slam titles in a season four times (2011, 2015, 2021, 2023).

Djokovic is getting better with age.  In Grand Slam finals his 30s, he is 12-3 compared to a 12-9 record in his 20s.  Since turning 30, he won 12 Slam titles, the most for any player, male or female.  After age 35, he had won a record of four Slam titles.

Stretching his lead over Rafael Nadal by two majors victories, Djokovic is the runaway leader among men’s singles all-time Slam title.  With Nadal who has 22 follows Roger Federer with 20, Pete Sampras 14, Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver with 11 each.  Andy Murray, frequently among the top 4 with Nadal, Federer and Novak, had only won 3 Grand Slam titles (Wimbledon 2013, 2016 and US Open 2012).

In the all-time singles title count, he’s one up over Serena Williams and is tied with Margaret Court.

At the age 20, Djokovic won his first majors title at the 2008 Australian Open beating France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.  He had won each of the four Grand Slam events at least three times (10 Australian Open titles, 3 French Opens, 7 Wimbledons and 4 US Opens). He’s one behind Federer in Wimbledon titles.

In battles with Federer and Nadal in Grand Slam finals, he had four wins each over them. He had won 18 times combined over both at the majors. Djokovic faced both plus Murray in Grand Slam finals 21 times, winning 13, including eight of the last nine.

He flew back to Serbia with his $3 million prize money to a hero’s welcome, and together with the Serbian national basketball team who qualified for the Paris Olympics next year, celebrated their achievements on the balcony of Belgrade’s city hall in front of thousands of cheering fans.