Rafael Nadal defeated Novak Djokovic in a rain-delayed US Open Final to complete a historic year. The world’s number one player has won the French and Australian Open, Wimbledon and now the only missing piece has been conquered.
‘I played my best match in the US Open at the most important moment. To be US Open champion is what I always dreamed of. It was amazing to be in this final and actually have the trophy in my hands, it’s unbelievable,’ said the champion.

The men’s final was delayed by weather for the third year in a row, rained off on Sunday and interrupted for two hours on Monday at 4-all in the second set. Third

Nadal is the seventh player in tennis history to win all four majors. Fred Perry, Don Budge, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson, Andre Agassi and Federer have also won tennis’ four most pretigious titles.

Nadal clinched the victory with tears of joy as Djokovic slammed his 47th unforced error in a marathon which lasted three hours and 43 minutes in playing time and almost six hours including the rain interruption. Nadal will now be trailed in the ATP rankings by Djokovic, who returns to second after defeating five-time winner Federer in their semi-final. Nadal now stands an impressive 9-2 in Grand Slam finals and becomes the first lefthander to win the New York title since John McEnroe in 1984. 

He also becomes the third champion from Spain, following in the footsteps of Manuel Santana (1965) and Manuel Orantes (1975).

Nadal’s victory was his 21st in a row at the Grand Slam level as he becomes the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win three consecutive majors. He stretched his lead in the ATP table with six trophies in 2010 as he claimed a first hardcourt title since 2009 at Indian Wells.