Following Stan Wawrinka’s win at the U.S. Open on Sunday, it may finally be time to officially expand the “Big Four” in men’s tennis to the “Big Five”. “Just look at the tournaments they won, how many years they have been there”, said Wawrinka, whose win in NY earned him $3.5m (£2.6m) – the game’s biggest payday.
Advertisement
Djokovic, who was bothered by fitness issues coming into the tournament, looked uncomfortable during the final set before losing 6-7 6-4 7-5 6-3 to the No. 3 seed. “I came here without putting goal to win it but every time I step on the court I was trying to win every match”.
Djokovic made a strong start to the match, taking a 5-2 lead in the first set before winning it in a tie breaker, but was clearly struggling physically as the clash wore on.
Wawrinka won his first majors title at the 2014 Australian Open defeating Djokovic en route to the finals of the tournament. He’d also be only the fifth man in the Open era with at least two major titles after 30 (his Swiss countryman and pal, Federer, only has one since turning that age). I’m completely empty. I had to bring everything I had and there was so much emotion. The Serb advanced to the second round with a walkover and won both his third round and the quarterfinal when his opponents were forced to retire with injuries.
“He likes to occasionally whack the ball quite hard, and I don’t think that Novak likes that”, said Wawrinka’s coach, Magnus Norman.
Wawrinka, who fired 46 winners, including three aces, while saving an impressive 14 of 17 break points, prevailed after three hours and 55 minutes on Sunday.
“I have an extra day now to recover and get ready for the finals, which is, you know, where definitely I desire to be whenever I come to the Grand Slams”, said Djokovic, the No. 1 seed and defending champion.
Wawrinka said his fear was down to not wanting to lose a grand-slam final, as he instead improved to 3-0 in major deciders.
Wawrinka, the 31-year-old third seed, triumphed 6-7 (1/7), 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 after nearly four hours of high intensity tennis.
“I just didn’t capitalise at all on my opportunities”, Djokovic said.
The 31-year-old may never have the cachet of the so-called “Big Four” – Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal – but he’s ready and able to give any one of them a run for his money every chance he gets.
“I lost my nerves in the important moments”.
Wawrinka was exhausted by the time he got to the match on Sunday. “But the only thing I was convinced with myself that my game was there”.
He took ice on his legs at the changeover and then could hardly serve, producing two double faults in the next game, yet saving break point to hold. He kept his cool. Just awful from my side. “I put everything on the court”.
Advertisement
It can safely be said that when it comes to being clutch or showing that he has what it takes to compete with the top lot, Wawrinka has not been a disappointment.
