Sports

10th major title: Djokovic ‘flattered’ to be a part of the elite

World number one enters the select double-digit Grand Slam group

Afp September 14, 2015

Together with his Australian Open and Wimbledon crowns, Djokovic matched his 2011 season by winning the same three Slams. PHOTO: AFP

NEW YORK: Only six men in tennis history have won more Grand Slam titles than Novak Djokovic, who captured his 10th major crown by defeating Roger Federer in the US Open final.

World number one Djokovic downed the Swiss world number two 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 to win his third Grand Slam title of the year and put himself among the sport’s elite, with a chance to take aim at the record 17 Grand slam singles crowns Federer has won.

“We got to double digits now and I’m flattered and honoured to be a part of elite group of players, legends of our sports to manage to win this many Grand Slam trophies in their lives and careers,” said Djokovic. “To be just mentioned alongside them is truly something special.”

Rafael Nadal and Pete Sampras share second on 14 with Roy Emerson having taken 12 and Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg the next within reach of Djokovic on 11.

“I’m 28. I have always valued the care for my body, and my mind,” said Djokovic. “I will continue on with the same kind of lifestyle. Hopefully this approach will give me longevity and I can have many more years to come and many more opportunities to fight for these trophies.”

Djokovic won his second US Open title after 2011, but he has lost four other times in the championship match at Arthur Ashe Stadium — in 2007 to Federer, 2010 and 2013 to Nadal and 2012 to Britain’s Andy Murray.

Beaten Federer shrugs off retirement talk

Federer insists that he will return to the US Open in 2016 despite losing Sunday’s final to Djokovic.

“I’m very pleased with where my game is at,” said Federer, who won the most recent of his 17 majors at Wimbledon in 2012. “It feels like it has moved in the right direction. I’m back in the final for the first time since 2009. One last thing — I’ll see you guys next year.”

Federer was bidding to become the oldest champion in New York since 35-year-old Ken Rosewall in 1970.

Federer, the world number two, still believes he can still punch his weight at the highest level, with his five tour titles so far in 2015 only serving to boost his confidence.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 15^th, 2015.

Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.