For all of Novak Djokovic’s phenomenal achievements, an extraordinary conclusion can be drawn following his stunning US Open success in New York on Sunday.

At the age of 36, and at the end of his 19th season of contending in Grand Slams, the history-making Serbian superstar is a better player than ever before.

Pitted against Daniil Medvedev, the man who denied him the calendar-year Grand Slam in New York in 2021, Djokovic was outstanding in claiming his fourth US Open title 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-3 in three hours and 17 minutes.

The oldest US Open champion in the Open era, he stands alone as the winner of 24 Grand Slam titles in that period, having moved beyond the 23 claimed by Serena Williams.

It is probable he will surge past the 24 titles won by Margaret Court, whose successes straddled the amateur and Open eras, ending with a final US Open triumph 50 years ago.

Barring the exceptional performance from Carlos Alcaraz in their thrilling Wimbledon final in July, Djokovic would have won all four Grand Slam titles in a calendar year for the first time.

“I would definitely sign, right away, the paper if somebody would tell me I would win three out of four and play Wimbledon finals,” Djokovic said.

“There is a little regret that I didn't win the Wimbledon final. But … at the end of the day I have so much more to be happier and content with than actually to regret something.”

The straight sets scoreline does not accurately capture the intensity of an enthralling decider that began with a 19-shot rally and saw both men prone on the court at different stages.

The second set alone lasted 105 minutes and proved the critical juncture, with Djokovic conjuring some remarkable volleys when under sustained pressure from Medvedev.

Djokovic’s career statistics are mind-boggling. The seven-time Wimbledon champion has reached the final in 36 of the 72 Grand Slam appearances he has made.

The manner with which he continues to improve has allowed him to thrive against different generations of champions and beyond the age where many contemporaries have retired.

His tenth final in Arthur Ashe Stadium is a case in point.

Having built a reputation as the best returner and greatest defensive player tennis has seen, the Serbian is now a superb offensive player as well.

The quality of his net play was simply astonishing, especially in the gripping second set.

So, too, was the precision of his serving, with his swinging serve to the forehand corner particularly effective against Medvedev, who has won 19 hard court titles in his career, and is the only man to beat Djokovic on the surface this year.