Wawrinka added to his resume today claiming the US Open title stunning top seed and World No. 1 Novak Djokovic 6-7 (1), 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 in 3 hours, 55 minutes.
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Despite falling short of his 13th grand slam title, Djokovic, who struggled with foot issues during the match, admitted that he was outplayed by Wawrinka on Sunday. I had not had enough sleep.
“As I said, I was feeling exhausted already at the beginning of the match”.
“It was the first time ever I had this feeling in a tournament and in a match. It was a insane match”.
After winning the first set Djokovic was all set to go the distance to clinch his third grand slam title of the year following his victories at the Australian Open and French Open in 2016. “I was shaking in the locker-room”, said the Swiss, who was match point down against Britain’s Dan Evans in the third round.
But Djokovic, the world No. 1, has so many strengths – and no real weaknesses.
Wawrinka had done the same in his earlier victories over Juan Martin del Potro and Kei Nishikori. I feel better than him.
“I was working a lot on it and trying to find that rhythm, but my body has kind of compensated and made some different things to protect the problem I had with the arm”.
“I can only say I’m happy with that trophy tonight”, he said, flashing a smile.
Referring to Djokovic’s fourth-set treatment for bleeding toes he said: “I just wanted to know exactly what the rule is”.
“I really didn’t know whether or not I’m going to come, to be honest”, he said.
“We both felt the demanding match that we played, but he was the better player, tougher mentally”. Physically I was there. He by no means wants to fade into the shadows yet, though, stating he has the motivation to keep working towards his previous form: “Took a long time, a lot of hours, a lot of spirit of sacrifice to be back where I was before the injury this year”.
Djokovic believes world number three Wawrinka should be treated as a genuine heavyweight of the men’s game. There has always been a view that some players use medical time-outs as a way of taking a breather or disrupting their opponent’s momentum. “You were the more courageous player in the decisive moment and you deserve this title”, said Djokovic.
Stanislaus Wawrinka with the U.S. Open trophy after his upset win over defending champion Novak Djokovic yesterday.
Stan Wawrinka considers himself to be a cut below the “Big Four” in tennis. “Before the match it was really hard for me”.
Wawrinka is now a three-time major victor, as he adds this trophy to his Aussie and French open titles. He runs the Good to Great Academy with his fellow Swedes Nicklas Kulti and Mikael Tillstrom (who coaches Gael Monfils), though Wawrinka said it had been the man rather than the institution which initially drew him to Norman. “He’s very vulnerable in the beginning of tournaments”. Obviously I wish that I could win another title, but this is what it is. “It’s all about working well, doing the right things day after day”.
Andy Murray is a member of the big four.
Djokovic, playing in his 21st Grand Slam final was quickly out of the blocks and was up 5-2 in the first set. Look at Novak … winning two or three Grand Slams a year, winning five Masters 1000s.
Kerber, another player with a deep well of stamina, tapped into those reserves on a sweltering Arthur Ashe Stadium court to defuse big-hitting Czech Karolina Pliskova 6-3 4-6 6-4 to capture her second grand slam title.
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Wawrinka, seeded third, won 6-7 (1-7) 6-4 7-5 6-3 to add the U.S. title to his 2014 Australia Open title and his French Open triumph previous year. The right-hander reveals he does not think about becoming the top-ranked tennis player.
