Several tennis fans on social media reacted strongly to ESPN's graphic showing the all-time Grand Slam winners' list after Novak Djokovic grabbed his 24th Major by defeating Daniil Medvedev in the final of the 2023 US Open.
Djokovic last competed at Flushing Meadows in 2021, when he lost the title to Medvedev. In 2022, he withdrew from the tournament due to his unvaccinated status. However, with the relaxation in the rules, the Serb returned to US soil for the 2023 edition.
Djokovic defeated the Russian, who was playing in his third US Open final, 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-3 to secure a record-breaking 24th Major. With his win over Medvedev, the veteran has equaled Margaret Court for the most Grand Slam singles titles ever.
Following his win in New York, ESPN posted an updated Slam tally leaderboard. In response, one fan seemingly mocked the great Roger Federer for failing to make the cut on the graphic.
The Swiss icon was the first male player to win 20 Majors, but he is now four titles behind Djokovic.
"Roger Federer didn’t fit on the ESPN’s Major Tally screen," the fan wrote.
Some fans also questioned the inclusion of Margaret Court on the list. The Australian player dominated the tour during the 1960s and 1970s, but 13 of her 24 Major titles came before the Open Era began.
"No offence to Court but she shouldn’t even be here. She won half of her slams before the open era," a fan posted.
"Because why are we still showing Margaret court’s pre open era titles," said another.
"One thing people are going to do is insert Margaret Court into conversations she shouldn’t be in," yet another fan posted.
Below are a few more fan reactions:
Novak Djokovic has now won four US Open singles titles
Novak Djokovic increased his Grand Slam singles tally to 24 by winning his fourth US Open title - and his first since 2018 - on Sunday, September 10.
The Serb made his US Open debut in 2005 but lost in the third round. In his third US Open tournament, Djokovic reached the final but lost to Federer.
In the next two editions of the tournament, the Serb suffered consecutive semifinal defeats against the Swiss.
Djokovic lost the 2010 final to Rafael Nadal but avenged his defeat the next year to win his maiden US Open title. The Serb reached consecutive finals in 2012 and 2013, but lost to Andy Murray and Nadal, respectively.
He beat Federer in the final to win his second title in 2015. The Serb lost another final in 2016, this time to Stan Wawrinka. In 2018, Djokovic won his third US Open title, beating Juan Martin del Potro.
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