Wawrinka elated post maiden US Open title win

“I’m 31 years old”, the Swiss said when asked why he was not looking towards retirement. He won the match in a little under four hours to claim his third Grand Slam title. “He was tougher mentally”, said Djokovic, offering two of the highest compliments a tennis player can receive from the talented and sturdy Serb ranked No. 1.

The Serbian, who needed treatment on his feet during his loss, said Wawrinka’s ability to take his chances was crucial. “Just look at the tournaments they’ve won, how many years they’ve been there”. Wawrinka entered Arthur Ashe Stadium as 2-19 against the world No. 1, with both wins coming in Grand Slam Finals.

Now boasting as many Grand Slam titles as world number two Murray, Wawrinka isn’t planning to slow down, and he seemed a bit affronted that anyone might think he should.

Despite Djokovic’s physical issues, Wawrinka was a convincing champion. That’s why I’m not there. “What do you want me to do?” For me, there is no question about that. “My goal is to give everything I have to be the best I can”, added Warwinka. “This is something I never expect and dream about it but I have them and I’m happy to take the trophy back home”.

Novak Djokovic enjoyed a charmed life during the first week of the US Open yet still finished the tournament a broken man. “He always say a lot of nice thing about me”, said Wawrinka. “I was shaking in the locker-room”.

“This is wonderful. I came here without expecting”.

His steely resolve was on full display as he maintained his composure throughout the encounter, eventually triumphing on his second match point.

The match went for almost for long four hours and lot of drama and action were seen.

The major championship is Wawrinka’s third, joining his 2015 French Open crown and his 2014 Australian Open title. He would join Djokovic, Nadal, Federer, Andre Agassi, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson, Don Budge and Fred Perry. “I decided like eight, nine days before the start of the Open just to try so to play finals, it’s quite wonderful”.

“I’m fighting with myself to improve, to be a better tennis player, because I have a great team behind me pushing me every day to try to be a better tennis player”.

“I’m trying. I’m trying every year to improve”.

He backed up that breakthrough with a victory over Djokovic in last year’s French Open final. “Match after match I was playing better”. “Hopefully it will come”.

The Swiss star won in four sets in Flushing Meadows are conceding the first set to Djokovic.

‘I didn’t know if I was going to come a few weeks before because I struggled physically.