World No.1 Djokovic says the Big Four, which also includes Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal, has become the Big Five after Wawrinka made it three from three in Grand Slam finals.
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A Djokovic backhand that sailed long ended the almost four-hour slugfest at Arthur Ashe Stadium. “I was shaking in the locker room”.
“This is unbelievable. I came here without expecting to win it, but every time I stepped on the court I was trying to win every match”.
“I think I played quite a lot of tennis these two weeks, I am completely empty”.
“Today I was trying to stay with him. It was so much emotion”.
Djokovic lost a major final for the ninth time in 21 matches.
Fifth-ranked Nadal said the 31-year-old from Switzerland was capable of matching any of the top players on the world circuit after taking the title on Sunday in NY. We both felt the demanding match that we played today, but he came out on top, he was the better player, tougher mentally.
But it was the world number one worn down by marathon man Wawrinka.
Despite losing out on a chance at winning his third USA open title, Djokovic expressed his satisfaction on winning four Grand Slams. The Swiss has won three of their seven grand slam encounters. Wawrinka complained about the medical timeout as Djokovic apologized to him saying “Stan, sorry man, I couldn’t stand”. That continued a pattern that carried throughout: Djokovic, as good a returner as there is in the game – now, certainly, and perhaps ever – managed to convert only 3 of 17 break chances. He is so solid from both corners.
With an elegant one-handed backhand and bullish refusal to back down, the Swiss has established himself as one of the biggest threats on the game’s biggest stages. Big serve. Moves well. He is a complete player. “Stan won three Grand Slams now and three different ones. and he plays the best in big matches”.
Djokovic needed treatment during the fourth set, revealing his “toe nails were off and bleeding”.
After battling an arm injury during his first-round win over Czech player Jerzy Janowicz, Djokovic was the beneficiary of a walkover in round two before playing just six games in the third round before Mikhail Youhnzny pulled the pin.
Early in what would become a tight test of a U.S. Open final, Angelique Kerber sprinted forward to somehow reach a drop shot and scoop a down-the-line victor that landed in a corner of the court.
The Swiss is only a Wimbledon title shy of a career slam.
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He is a ideal three-for-three in grand slam finals.
