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Djokovic Ends Obsession With Rafa And Roger
Novak Djokovic capped one of tennis's greatest seasons with a awe-inspiring US Open triumph on Monday that could just signal an end to the sport's obsession with "Rafa v Roger" finals.
The 24-year-old Serb broke the pain barrier to beat defending champion Rafa Nadal 6-2 6-4 6-7 6-1 and claim his third grand slam title of the year, underlining that the balance of power in the men's game had well and truly shifted.
Seven-times grand slam winner Mats Wilander said Djokovic was on target for a rush of major title after winning a first in New York and the fourth of his career.
"He's jumped up a level," Wilander told Reuters. "I think this is the very beginning. He may be riding the wave, but it's not like the wave is going to end. This is how good he is."
Djokovic struggled with rib pain, lower back pain and cramping and needed a medical timeout and pain killer to carry on in a punishing final but stubbornly refused to yield.
Serbia's Davis Cup hero had also saved match points against Roger Federer in the semi-finals, underlining the steel that has produced an astonishing 64-2 record and 10 titles this year.
"At this level you need those tough matches against top guys," said the Australian Open and Wimbledon champion. "To get confidence that you can really win majors and win the big matches.
"I guess it just clicked in my head. Throughout the last couple of years I didn't change my game in any major way. I think most of the strokes are the same that they were.
"It's just that I'm hitting the shots that I maybe wasn't hitting in the last two, three years now. I'm going for it. I'm more aggressive and I have a different approach to the semi-finals and finals of major events."
Djokovic showed his go-for-broke attitude in surviving his semi-final when, down match point in the fifth set after clawing his way back from two sets down, he ripped an all-or-nothing forehand return across court for a jaw-dropping winner that destroyed Federer's spirit.
"I was always kind of trying to wait for their mistakes," the Serb, who replaced Nadal as world number one earlier this year, said about his attitude in the past.
"Not really having the positive attitude and kind of belief that I can win."
Even when his body looked like giving out on him, Djokovic dug deep with a determination and courage normally associated with Nadal himself.
"I had the rib problem and they had to mobilize my back as well and some cramps in the leg," said Djokovic, who had grabbed at his back after several overhand shots and serves.
"I felt the most discomfort and pain with my serve, so I tried to go more for the precision rather than for speed," said the Serb, forced to spin in deliveries at about 90 miles per hour.
"I had to make the points very short, because it's obvious that he is the one that's physically fitter than me on the court today after the third set was done.
"I knew that and I had to go for my shots, and I did."
Nadal was gracious in his praise of Djokovic.
"This season he's (been) fantastic. His level is really, really high," 10-time major winner Nadal told reporters after congratulating the winner on the court.
"Obviously, I'm disappointed now. But this guy's done unbelievable things. So just congratulate Novak. What you did this year is probably impossible to repeat."
The 24-year-old Serb broke the pain barrier to beat defending champion Rafa Nadal 6-2 6-4 6-7 6-1 and claim his third grand slam title of the year, underlining that the balance of power in the men's game had well and truly shifted.
Seven-times grand slam winner Mats Wilander said Djokovic was on target for a rush of major title after winning a first in New York and the fourth of his career.
"He's jumped up a level," Wilander told Reuters. "I think this is the very beginning. He may be riding the wave, but it's not like the wave is going to end. This is how good he is."
Djokovic struggled with rib pain, lower back pain and cramping and needed a medical timeout and pain killer to carry on in a punishing final but stubbornly refused to yield.
Serbia's Davis Cup hero had also saved match points against Roger Federer in the semi-finals, underlining the steel that has produced an astonishing 64-2 record and 10 titles this year.
"At this level you need those tough matches against top guys," said the Australian Open and Wimbledon champion. "To get confidence that you can really win majors and win the big matches.
"I guess it just clicked in my head. Throughout the last couple of years I didn't change my game in any major way. I think most of the strokes are the same that they were.
"It's just that I'm hitting the shots that I maybe wasn't hitting in the last two, three years now. I'm going for it. I'm more aggressive and I have a different approach to the semi-finals and finals of major events."
Djokovic showed his go-for-broke attitude in surviving his semi-final when, down match point in the fifth set after clawing his way back from two sets down, he ripped an all-or-nothing forehand return across court for a jaw-dropping winner that destroyed Federer's spirit.
"I was always kind of trying to wait for their mistakes," the Serb, who replaced Nadal as world number one earlier this year, said about his attitude in the past.
"Not really having the positive attitude and kind of belief that I can win."
Even when his body looked like giving out on him, Djokovic dug deep with a determination and courage normally associated with Nadal himself.
"I had the rib problem and they had to mobilize my back as well and some cramps in the leg," said Djokovic, who had grabbed at his back after several overhand shots and serves.
"I felt the most discomfort and pain with my serve, so I tried to go more for the precision rather than for speed," said the Serb, forced to spin in deliveries at about 90 miles per hour.
"I had to make the points very short, because it's obvious that he is the one that's physically fitter than me on the court today after the third set was done.
"I knew that and I had to go for my shots, and I did."
Nadal was gracious in his praise of Djokovic.
"This season he's (been) fantastic. His level is really, really high," 10-time major winner Nadal told reporters after congratulating the winner on the court.
"Obviously, I'm disappointed now. But this guy's done unbelievable things. So just congratulate Novak. What you did this year is probably impossible to repeat."
Peace, Harmony And Unity: Narendra Modi To Fast For Three Days
NEW DELHI: Bouyed by the Supreme Court verdict in Gulbarga Society riot case, Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hit out at his detractors for "defaming" him for the 2002 riots and announced he would undertake a three-day fast for peace, harmony and unity in his state.
"One thing is apparent from the Supreme Court's judgment. The unhealthy environment created by the unfounded and false allegations made against me and government of Gujarat, after 2002 riots, has come to an end. For the past ten years, it has become fashionable to defame me and the state of Gujarat," Modi said in an open letter to Gujarat people.
The controversial chief minister, who is increasingly being seen as BJP's poster boy who could play a larger role in national politics in the run up to 2014 Lok Sabha polls, insisted those defaming him could not tolerate any positive development of Gujarat.
He charged these people have not left any stone unturned to defame his state.
"It is difficult to say whether this campaign of defamation will stop even after the judgment of the Supreme Court. But one thing is certain that the credibility of those who have been spreading lies and defaming Gujarat has come to its lowest ebb. The people of this country will not trust such elements anymore," he said.
Modi said that as part of his responsibility to strengthen social harmony and brotherhood, he is planning to start a movement called "Sadbhavana Mission".
"As part of this Sadbhavana Mission, I have resolved to fast for three days from Saturday, 17th September 2011. My fast will conclude on 19th September. I deeply believe that this fast will further strengthen Gujarat's environment of peace, unity and harmony," Modi said.
"One thing is apparent from the Supreme Court's judgment. The unhealthy environment created by the unfounded and false allegations made against me and government of Gujarat, after 2002 riots, has come to an end. For the past ten years, it has become fashionable to defame me and the state of Gujarat," Modi said in an open letter to Gujarat people.
The controversial chief minister, who is increasingly being seen as BJP's poster boy who could play a larger role in national politics in the run up to 2014 Lok Sabha polls, insisted those defaming him could not tolerate any positive development of Gujarat.
He charged these people have not left any stone unturned to defame his state.
"It is difficult to say whether this campaign of defamation will stop even after the judgment of the Supreme Court. But one thing is certain that the credibility of those who have been spreading lies and defaming Gujarat has come to its lowest ebb. The people of this country will not trust such elements anymore," he said.
Modi said that as part of his responsibility to strengthen social harmony and brotherhood, he is planning to start a movement called "Sadbhavana Mission".
"As part of this Sadbhavana Mission, I have resolved to fast for three days from Saturday, 17th September 2011. My fast will conclude on 19th September. I deeply believe that this fast will further strengthen Gujarat's environment of peace, unity and harmony," Modi said.
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