Novak Djokovic reacts while facing Taylor Fritz during the U.S. Open men's singles quarterfinals at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, U.S., September 5, 2023. /CFP
Roger Federer's extraordinary tennis mastery had seemingly established records that were thought to be unassailable. However, Novak Djokovic, with relentless determination and an unparalleled abundance of skill, is progressively eradicating these milestones.
The Serbian legend made it look effortless against top-ranked American Taylor Fritz in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open as he orchestrated a resounding 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 victory to continue his pursuit of a record-extending 24th Grand Slam title.
Fritz exhibited exceptional form throughout this year's tournament in New York. However, his formidable performance paled in comparison to the sheer brilliance displayed by Djokovic. From the very beginning to the ultimate point, Djokovic was simply masterful, captivating everyone with a sublime exhibition of tennis.
Taylor Fritz in action during the U.S. Open men's singles quarterfinals at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, U.S., September 5, 2023. /CFP
At the sprightly age of 36, Djokovic has now reached the semifinals of a Grand Slam a remarkable 47 times throughout his career. In doing so, he has surpassed the previous record held by Federer, which stood at 46.
"It's a huge opportunity every single time I step out onto the court at this age, at this stage of my life," said Djokovic, who now holds a perfect 13-0 record in quarterfinals at the U.S. Open. "I don't know how many more opportunities I'll get, so I'm trying to enjoy it as much as I can."
On achieving another record, Djokovic said, "This is the sport that has given me so much in my life. Coming from Serbia, a war-torn country when I was growing up, I faced a lot of adversity.
"I was lucky to encounter some very knowledgeable and passionate people. Without their support and my parents, I wouldn't be here without their love and incredible sacrifice.
"That is the long answer for what goes through my head when I hear those numbers [of records he has broken]. There's a lot of things I am very grateful for," he said.
Novak Djokovic celebrates during the U.S. Open men's singles quarterfinals at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, U.S., September 5, 2023. /CFP
The triumph achieved by Djokovic against Fritz carries significant weight, as it marks yet another momentous milestone in his illustrious career. Djokovic has now etched his name in the annals of tennis history as the first player ever to amass an astounding 250 victories over Top 10 players.
Such a sensational achievement sets him apart from his peers, with a notable margin of 26 wins ahead of the next player on the list, none other than the esteemed Federer.
In addition to his incredible feat of possessing the most Grand Slam titles in men's tennis, with an impressive tally of 23 compared to Federer's 20, Djokovic has also recently surpassed Federer's long-standing record for the most weeks spent as the World No.1.
Poised to reclaim the coveted the World No. 1 ranking from Carlos Alcaraz in the upcoming week, Djokovic finds himself on the cusp of yet another astonishing accomplishment. With a single victory separating him, Djokovic stands on the verge of reaching the finals in all four Grand Slam events within the same year.
Roger Federer (R) waves next to Novak Djokovic as they take part in the Centre Court Centenary Ceremony on the seventh day of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, England, July 3, 2022. /CFP
In recent times, the quandary of determining the greatest of all time (GOAT) in the history of tennis has posed a considerable challenge. However, with his consistent and awe-inspiring performances, Djokovic reinforces the notion that there is no room for genuine debate.