Novak has played unbelievable tennis for two years. I’ve done it over four months – he does it over a whole year and that’s my aim.
Advertisement
The former world No. 4 and 2009 US Open victor made it clear that after several wrist surgeries he belongs in the top 10 when healthy. “I have played in the finals of all the Slams this year and I want to have a good one this year in NY”. All this came after he stirred the NY crowd with a punishing, five-set win over Federer in the 2009 US Open final.
The 27-year-old, a 2009 US Open champion and bronze medallist at London 2012, beat world number one Novak Djokovic in the first round, after being stuck in a lift for 40 minutes, and defeated 2008 Olympic gold victor Rafael Nadal in an epic three-hour semi-final.
“But this was difficult emotionally, it was physically hard”.
When he won the US Open seven years ago, it should have been the first of many major titles but instead the strain his style puts on his body took its toll. The Olympic final is being played following the #Grand Slam regulations meaning that for winning a match, a player must win at least 3 sets. “Tonight anything could have happened”, he said. In heavy humidity and on a slow hard court, there were plenty of prolonged points. “All of that made the match tougher than it was already”. But in defeat, the former US Open champion proved he’s a threat again. He started his career by becoming the second player in the Open era to drop his first four Grand Slam finals.
“It hasn’t been easy because a lot can happen in four years, especially in tennis”. A lot has changed since 2012, I’m happy here competing for the biggest events.
Bolt won his record-setting third straight title and his seventh Olympic gold, beating American Justin Gatlin, who was greeted with raucous boos, by.08 seconds.
After being the dominant force in men’s tennis for much of the last three years, Djokovic has shown chinks in his game after a surprising third-round loss to Sam Querrey at Wimbledon and an opening-round loss to del Potro at the Olympics.
Del Potro did win the bronze medal at the London Olympics. Del Potro broke into tears of happiness many times the past week, including after his massive upset of Djokovic and his shocking win over Nadal on Saturday. For del Potro, who left the court to the crowd chanting his name, this is not the end – but hopefully the beginning of a new chapter of the sport’s most loved players.
Aside from his brilliant tactics and strategies, Andy Murray also showcased his superb service as he got 10 total aces as compared to Del Potro’s 3 aces. I haven’t won all of them but I’ve had good wins.
Advertisement
“What he’s had to go through over the last three years or so with his wrists – I can’t imagine how mentally hard that would have been”, said the Briton.
