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. “I know if I want to have a chance to beat the top players, I need to be mentally ready for that”.
Advertisement
“There is no secret”, Wawrinka said.
Wawrinka becomes only the fifth man in the Open era to win more than one major tournament after turning 30, following Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall, Andre Agassi and Jimmy Connors in achieving the feat.
September 13: Stan Wawrinka has refused to be drawn into comparisons with the “Big Four” of tennis- Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray-despite winning his third Grand Slam title at US Open. In the final set, Novak required treatment for a blister on his toe and was granted unusual medical timeout. He removed both shoes and socks so a trainer could help with bleeding toes. “I put everything on the court”, Wawrinka said.
Against Djokovic, he faced an opponent who had benefited from one of the easiest passages ever to a grand slam final, with two of the Serb’s matches ending in early retirements and another in a walkover.
After a forehand passing shot drew an errant volley for a break early in the third set, Wawrinka pointed to his temple. “Just look at the tournaments they won, how many years they have been there”.
But world number three Wawrinka, who said he was crying with nerves before the final, insisted he was “really far” from the “big four” of Djokovic, Andy Murray, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
FEDERER AND NADAL: After ruling tennis for so long, Federer and Nadal didn’t win a major title in 2015 or 2016, and neither was a factor at Flushing Meadows (Nadal lost in the fourth round; Federer missed the tournament while he rehabs his surgically repaired left knee).
Wawrinka’s masterclass in aggression, however, was at odds with his pre-match nerves, when the 31-year-old said he broke down in tears while speaking with his coach Magnus Norman.
But the man known as “Stuckey” in some circles was able to get a late break in the second set, moving the Serb around the court and firing a forehand victor as he takes it 6-4, and the players were even at a set apiece.
Novak Djokovic was slammed for “complete abuse” of tennis’s injury time-out rules during his US Open final defeat against Stan Wawrinka.
The first set was tight and needed a tiebreak to be settled. He ended up winning in five sets.
A minute’s silence was held in NY on the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks.
A huge American flag was unfurled over the court, presented by a Brooklyn-based U.S. Marine Corp battalion.
Wawrinka regained his cool, stayed on serve and became a champion under the NY twilight.
Wawrinka also had a dismal head-to-head record against Djokovic – 4-19.
The top-ranked Djokovic is seeking his 13th major title.
Coincidentally, Wawrinka beat Djokovic in the quarter-final stage of the 2014 Australian Open in a match that went the distance. “He loves to play in the big matches”, praised Djokovic.
“I’m trying. I’m trying every year to improve”. She also won the national 18 championships that earned her a wild card into the Open’s main draw, where she advanced past Madison Brengle before losing to No. 8-seeded Madison Keys. “If someone had told me I was going to play in the final I would definitely have accepted it”.
He had to rally against former US Open finalist Kei Nishikori in the semi-finals, and escaped resurgent former champion Juan Martin del Potro in a quarter-final four-setter.
During the trophy ceremony, Mattek-Sands choked up and her eyes filled with tears as she told the crowd: “It’s a special day today here for everybody in NY”.
Advertisement
On Saturday, Angelique Kerber won the women’s title for the first time, beating Czech Karolina Pliskova. “But I have them and I’m happy to take the trophy back home”.
