Rafael Nadal completed the career Golden Slam on a rain-delayed Monday in New York, defeating Novak Djokovic 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 in the US Open final. At 24 he became only the second man, after Andre Agassi, to hold all four major trophies and an Olympic gold medal.
A thunderstorm and 40 flawless points
The final had already been postponed by rain on Sunday. When play finally began, a thunderstorm interrupted it again. After the last delay, Nadal produced a stretch of dominance that broke Djokovic: more than 40 consecutive points without an unforced error.
The two men waged breathtaking baseline rallies over three hours and 43 minutes. Djokovic had arrived battle-hardened, having saved two match points against Roger Federer in the semi-final. Yet Nadal's sharper serve and relentless pressure on return proved decisive.
At match point, Djokovic sent a forehand wide. Nadal fell backward onto the court with a shout, then rolled onto his stomach. The moment ended years of doubt about whether he could conquer Flushing Meadows.
Nine majors, one last missing piece
The US Open had been Nadal's least favourite major. He reached the final without dropping a set, serving harder than ever before. The title lifted his Grand Slam count to nine, moving him past Ivan Lendl, Jimmy Connors and Andre Agassi on the all-time list.
"For the first time in my career, I played a very, very good match in this tournament," Nadal told reporters afterwards. "I played my best match in the U.S. Open at the most important moment."
The hard-court question that had followed him for years was answered under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium.
