Novak’s game does all the talking
Novak does talking with his game, not at ump
THE 50th U.S. Open ended the right way Sunday — with textbook, high-energy tennis and a rousing Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd that sang, chanted, cheered and did not boo.
The chair umpire, Alison Hughes, got involved Sunday during the men’s final, but only to make announcements of “Quiet, please’’ to the crowd — which often sang “Ole’, Ole’, Ole’ Ole’, del Po.’’
Novak Djokovic and Juan Martin del Potro went toe-to-toe in the Open finals under a roof designed for this type of rainy, cool day. Arthur Ashe, who won the first Open 50 years ago, would have been proud of this Sunday in Flushing when two close, classy compadres dueled.
There was no awkward, boo-filled trophy presentation ceremony with both players in tears for all the wrong reasons. After Sunday’s final, del Potro sat in tears that were uncomplicated.
“I was crying till now,’’ del Potro said at his press conference. “I’m very sad for being a loser today. But Novak deserved to take the trophy.”
The only woman shown in tears Sunday was spectator Meryl Streep. She was caught on camera, swept away by superior tennis af- ter an eight-deuce game Djokovic barely survived.
One day after Serena Williams’ emotional breakdown, Djokovic restored order. He calmly and smartly won his 14th Grand Slam singles title 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 for his second slam in a row — his road from February’s elbow surgery paved in trophy silver.
“Everyone was in a very awkward situation yesterday,’’ Djokovic said. “A lot of emotions. Serena was crying. Naomi [Osaka] was crying. It was really, really tough.”
This instead was perfect. Djokovic rolled on his back in glee after tying Pete Sampras, his “childhood idol’’ with that 14th slam. Djokovic is six slams away from Roger Federer’s 20, but with a surgically repaired elbow at age 31, anything is possible after notching his third Open.
Williams made a mess of Satur- day’s women’s final against maiden champion Osaka and remained unapologetic. She said her persistent harassment of chair umpire Carlos Ramos served as “an example for the next person that has emotions, wants to express themselves and wants to be a strong woman.”
We can debate that stance from today to the 2019 U.S. Open — if Williams shows. But Williams would undeniably have shown strength as a woman had she rallied from a set down to beat Osaka.
“I was sad for Serena because she’s a great champion,’’ del Potro said. “She gives to this sport a lot.’’
Before Djokovic-del Potro took the court, Coco Gauff, the 14-yearold junior sensation and self-proclaimed “Next Serena,” won the junior women’s doubles championship. Like Osaka, Gauff ’s inspiration is Williams and the two even share the same coach, Patrick Mouratoglou.
“When you’re on the court, you say things you don’t want to say and do things you don’t want to do,’’ Gauff told The Post. “Looking back, she probably regrets what she did. But I can’t say anything. I’m not on Ashe playing in front of 20,000 people.’’
Del Potro has the most lethal forehand in tennis, and likely would have more than one major if not for his wrist surgeries. However, the Argentinian’s forehand wasn’t dynamic enough against Djokovic, even if he had the crowd squarely on his side, making Queens sound like Buenos Aires.
Djokovic is the smartest competitor in tennis — with the best defense and return of serve. He’s not flashy, doesn’t have Sampras’ or Williams’ torpedo serve. He didn’t post an ace but he would never let a code-violation warning wreck him.
Now Djokovic puts himself in position to reel off three straight Grand Slam titles. That will be the buzz at the Australian Open in January.
Djokovic mustered the first break late in the first set, winning breakpoint with a tactical gem of a rally. He got del Potro involved in a backhand-to-backhand crosscourt rally, playing to the 6-foot-6 del Potro’s weaker wing. Djokovic finally seized on a shorter ball, ripped a forehand toward the open court. Del Potro pounded an on-the-run forehand into the net.
The display was nothing fancy. He just got del Potro enough on the move to upset his rhythm.
Djokovic was up 6-3 and a break in the second at 3-1 before del Potro roared back. The fans were going crazy as del Potro repeatedly punched the Flushing air. The umpire repeatedly made declarations to the fans for quiet. Djokovic won a tiebreaker to seize a 1-hour 35-second set.
Consistency and mental toughness is Djokovic’s game. He rarely has the Open crowd on his side. Djokovic’s style is not pretty, but it was a lot prettier than what went on Saturday night.