NEW YORK — Novak Djokovic never faced the tremendous pressure that Serena Williams coped with this year as she pursued the first tennis Grand Slam in more than a quarter century.
But in the end, it turns out that Djokovic had a more successful 2015 than Serena did.
With his 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 win over Roger Federer in front of a highly charged pro-Federer crowd in the US Open final, Djokovic captured his third Major title of the year and 10th of his career.
If not for a loss to Federer’s Swiss countryman Stan Wawrinka in the Roland Garros final, Djokovic would own the Grand Slam for 2015.
“Serena had way more pressure” because of what she was trying to accomplish,” John McEnroe said on ESPN.
Williams, of course, was stunned by Roberta Vinci in the semifinals on Friday in a match that fivethirtyeight.com is calling the “biggest upset in modern women’s tennis history.”
In the end, though, Djokovic finishes the Major calendar with three titles and one finals appearance, while Serena has three championships and a semifinal appearance. It was the second time in his career (2011) that Djokovic has won three majors. Only Federer (2004,06-07) has more such years.
“It’s been an incredible season,” Djokovic said on court. “Next to 2011 probably the best season of my life. But I’m enjoying this season even more than I did any previous one because I’m a husband and a father. This makes it even more sweeter, I guess.
“I love this sport. As Roger said, he has a lot of passion for this sport and I do, too. If we didn’t have a love and a passion for this sport we wouldn’t be here. All of this is an incentive for me to keep on going.”
He can keep on going right up the list of all-time greats, too.
With this second US Open title, Djokovic now has 10 career Grand Slam crowns, tying him with Bill Tilden for seventh all-time.
Next up on the list is Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver at 11, then Roy Emerson at 12.
Djokovic could easily get to 12 in 2016 if he keeps this level up and by then would be approaching Rafael Nadal and Pete Sampras, who are tied for second with 14 Majors. Federer remains atop the all-time list with 17, and could have separated himself even further from the pack by winning his record sixth US Open.
“He’s inching his way toward the greatest players who ever played,” McEnroe said of Djokovic during the match. “You gotta put him in the top five or six already.”
“Let’s say [he gets] five more [in his career], that would get him by Sampras and Nadal,” Patrick McEnroe said.
“Clearly he can win of them [Majors],” Federer said. “He already has a ton.”
Again, an 18th major for Federer here would’ve helped solidify his position as arguably the Greatest of All Time and put him at 18-9 vis-a-vis Djokovic. Instead, it’s now 17-10.
“I have a tremendous respect for Roger and what his game is presenting to me and to any other player,” Djokovic said. “Just and incredible record and everything he has achieved in his career. Coming out ton the court and knowing that you’re playing probably the best player in the history of the game definitely adds a little bit of pressure.”
Can Djokovic, 28, catch Federer in the next few years? He will continue to have to deal with Federer, Andy Murray and even a seemingly declining Nadal among the Big Four, as well as other challengers like Wawrinka, Marin Cilic and others.
“He won’t admit to it, but it’s in his head,” John McEnroe said of Djokovic eventually surpassing Federer’s 17, adding that it would be “incredibly difficult” to catch Federer.
For his part, Federer says he’s “very pleased with where my game’s at,” referring to his newfound attacking style that ultimately came up short against the greatest serve returner in the history of the game.
But at 34, he wants it known he’s not going anywhere.
“I love the sport and I got a lot of passion,” Federer said. “Last thing: I’ll see you guys next year.”
By then Djokovic could be inching still closer to Federer on the list of all-time Grand Slam leaders.
For now, this much is clear: It turns out that Djokovic had an even better year than Serena.
***
All-Time Grand Slam Title Leaders:
Roger Federer – 17
Rafael Nadal -14
Pete Sampras – 14
Roy Emerson – 12
Bjorn Borg – 11
Rod Laver – 11
Novak Djokovic – 10
Bill Tilden – 10
