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Djokovic welcomes his friend and rival into elite 'Big 4' club
Source: Agencies |
September 12, 2012, Wednesday
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NOVAK Djokovic hates to lose, but the five-time grand slam champion was happy for his friend Andy Murray, who beat him for the US Open title on Monday.
"Any loss is a bad loss. There is no question about it," the Serb told reporters. "I'm disappointed to lose the match.
"I had a great opponent today. He deserved to win this grand slam more than anybody, I'm sure, because over the years he's been a top player. He's been so close, lost four finals. Now he has won it, so I would like to congratulate him.
"Happy that he won it."
Djokovic, who is one week younger than fellow 25-year-old Murray and friendly with his rival he has known since junior tennis days, welcomed Murray to the grand slam club. He walked around the net to give him a hug and a pat on the back after surrendering the nearly five-hour match with a forehand blasted long.
Djokovic could sympathize with the Scotsman's previous slam frustrations.
"I think in my experience it was just a matter of belief, really mentally to mature and to understand what you need to do to become a grand slam champion and to become the best in the world," said Djokovic, who won three out of the four majors last year.
"Andy has all the capacity he needs, all the talent on the court. He's dedicated, he's professional. He has proven that many years already with his results."
Djokovic said he savored being part of the 'Big 4' of men's tennis along with Federer, Nadal and Murray.
"Us four, we are taking this game to another level, and it's really nice to be part of such a strong men's tennis era," he added. "It's a privilege to be part of this era. It's obvious that the four of us, you know, we get to the later stages of every single grand slam. Andy winning tonight makes it even more competitive and more interesting for people to watch it."
"Any loss is a bad loss. There is no question about it," the Serb told reporters. "I'm disappointed to lose the match.
"I had a great opponent today. He deserved to win this grand slam more than anybody, I'm sure, because over the years he's been a top player. He's been so close, lost four finals. Now he has won it, so I would like to congratulate him.
"Happy that he won it."
Djokovic, who is one week younger than fellow 25-year-old Murray and friendly with his rival he has known since junior tennis days, welcomed Murray to the grand slam club. He walked around the net to give him a hug and a pat on the back after surrendering the nearly five-hour match with a forehand blasted long.
Djokovic could sympathize with the Scotsman's previous slam frustrations.
"I think in my experience it was just a matter of belief, really mentally to mature and to understand what you need to do to become a grand slam champion and to become the best in the world," said Djokovic, who won three out of the four majors last year.
"Andy has all the capacity he needs, all the talent on the court. He's dedicated, he's professional. He has proven that many years already with his results."
Djokovic said he savored being part of the 'Big 4' of men's tennis along with Federer, Nadal and Murray.
"Us four, we are taking this game to another level, and it's really nice to be part of such a strong men's tennis era," he added. "It's a privilege to be part of this era. It's obvious that the four of us, you know, we get to the later stages of every single grand slam. Andy winning tonight makes it even more competitive and more interesting for people to watch it."
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