Stan became the oldest men to win the US Open title after, the Ken Rosewall won the title at the age of 35 years in 1970.
Advertisement
Wawrinka had out-powered Djokovic in the French Open final a year ago and he pulled off a similar display of destruction at Flushing Meadows to win 6-7 (1/7) 6-4 7-5 6-3.
The 31-year-old Wawrinka is the oldest U.S. Open men’s champion since Ken Rosewall was 35 in 1970, and entered Sunday having spent nearly exactly twice as much time on court as Djokovic during the course of the tournament: about 18 hours vs. about 9 hours.
Wawrinka was angry that Djokovic had been granted permission to call the trainer and doctor while he was about to serve.
Then the two players brought the action further up the court, until they were right up close to the net, where both players were forced to make returns at full stretch, before Wawrinka was finally able to send the ball down past Djokovic’s right hand side, and safely within the court boundary to win the point.
“I’m trying the best I can with my career”, Wawrinka said. “Match after match I was playing better”. “I was shaking in the locker room”.
“I’m proud of myself by winning three grand slams”. Because I think this grand slam was the most painful – physically and mentally – grand slam that I ever played. My game was there.
Once he was on the court, and got over some shaky play at the very start, Wawrinka’s game and mindset were strong as can be, as they always seems to be these days when the stakes are highest. I had to put my s*** together. “I couldn’t stand, sorry”. “I’m completely empty; I had to bring everything I had today against Novak”.
Djokovic admitted Wawrinka fully deserved the title after four gruelling hours on the Arthur Ashe court. I’m really, really happy with what I’m doing. Not to show anything.
Mattek-Sands and Safarova broke Garcia again in the opening game of the third set.
“I lost my nerves in the important moments”.
While the World Group semi-finals are being contested, Australia will fight to keep its place in the elite 16 when it faces Slovakia on grass at the NSW Tennis Centre in Sydney’s Olympic Park.
There was a bit of minor controversy for Djokovic, who appeared to be suffering from a cramp at the beginning of the fourth set.
Djokovic pegged back an early break but Wawrinka continued to exert pressure, setting up two set points with a forehand victor and celebrating as the Serb went wide, smashing his racquet in frustration.
Not win it. Just get in the draw.
Maybe it doesnt matter how Wawrinka is characterized.
“Why would I be surprised if I was allowed?”, he snapped at a reporter, adding that it was medical necessity. “I decided like eight, nine days before the start of the Open just to try so to play finals, it’s quite awesome”.
With that Djokovic threw his left arm around Wawrinka’s shoulders, knowing which was more up to the task on this day.
“We both felt the demanding match that we played today, but he [Wawrinka] came out on top, ” he said.
It marked the 31-year-old’s third grand-slam title after a gruelling fortnight in NY. And I was just unlucky in some moments.
Advertisement
They trailed by a set and a break on Sunday before coming all the way back.
