On This Day: Novak Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal 6-2, 6-4, 6-7, 6-1 to win his maiden US Open title in 2011

In 2011, top-ranked Serbian tennis player, Novak Djokovic confirmed his status as one of the greats in the game of tennis as he defeated Rafael Nadal to lift his maiden US Open title. The Serb, who has now equalled Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam singles title, went past the then defending champion in the US Open, Rafael Nadal in a four-set thriller.

The top-seeded registered 6-2, 6-4, 6-7(3-7), 6-1 in a hard-fought battle which went on for four hours and 10 minutes at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York City. Whereas Nadal at that point, was bidding for his 11th Grand Slam, but suffered a heartbreaking loss with a defeat. Moreover, with the defeat, Nadal had then lost all six meetings with the Serbian in 2011. 

Speaking of the match, Djokovic showcased his top game amidst the windy conditions as the game proved to be a pulsating one with baseline rallies all across four hours. But in an action-packed capacity crowd, Djokovic set a new era and clinched his fourth Grand Slam title. 

Novak Djokovic claimed his 24th Grand Slam at US Open 2024

However, with years passing since his first US Open win in 2011, Novak Djokovic thumped his authority at the final Grand Slam tournament of the year in 2023 as he went on to equal Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam titles. This victory came over Daniil Medvedev where he won his fourth US Open title, after last winning a title at the same venue back in 2018.

Speaking in detail of the head-to-head record between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, the Serbian stands upright with 31 wins from 60 matches, while the Spaniard is not far behind with 29 wins among those. 

Novak Djokovic is first man to record 90 wins at all four Grand Slams

The 37-year-old who has 24 Grand Slam titles to his name, also etched history as he became the first man to record 90 wins across all four Grand Slams. While his most recent came at the US Open 2024, when he won his second-round match over his fellow countryman, Laslo Djere with straight set defeats, 6-4, 6-4, 2-0. 

Meanwhile, the Serbian recorded his 90th win at the French Open in 2023 when he defeated Karen Khachanov in the quarter-finals. A month later, he defeated Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon to record his 90th win in Wimbledon. Whereas his 90th win at the Australian Open came in 2024 during his four-set win in the opening round of the tournament, earlier this year. 

Novak Djokovic Grand Slam wins