One year ago, sore-kneed Rafael Nadal was home in Mallorca watching Novak Djokovic in the U.S. Open finals.
Monday night, Nadal capped his glorious comeback at Arthur Ashe Stadium, outgunning Djokovic in a four-set triumph, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1, to capture his second Open and 13th Grand Slam title.
With questions last September whether Nadal would ever regain championship form because of chronic knee issues, the lefty Spanish bulldog is now just four Grand Slam titles away from equaling Roger Federer’s men’s record of 17.
“It is probably the most emotional one in my career,’’ Nadal said. “I felt that I did everything right to have my chance here. You play against one of the best players in history on probably his favorite surface, so I have to be almost perfect to win. Is just amazing.’’
Toni Nadal, Rafael’s uncle and coach, never imagined this moment back in February in Chile, when Rafael Nadal made his return from a knee injury. Nadal was playing, well, lousy.
In response to a question whether Rafa has a shot reaching 17 Grand Slam titles, Toni Nadal smiled.
“Thirteen at the moment for us is a dream,’’ he said. “Remember, when we went to play in [Chile in February], we thought we stopped at 11. Now we have 13. Unbelievable for us.”
The Flushing hardcourts, once Nadal’s anathema, have become his new kingdom. He has won here two of the last three times he has played and is a remarkable and unexplainable 22-0 on hardcourts this year. He will lay claim to player of the year, with two Grand Slams titles in 2013.
“I never thought something like this could happen,” Nadal said. “I was so excited to be back on tour trying to be competitive. But [I] never thought about competing for all what I competed this year.’’
Toni Nadal indicated Rafa has shortened points on hardcourts.
“Because when you have some problems, you make something different,’’ Toni said. “You can’t run like when he was young. It’s normal you improve something.’’
It was a terrific match with majestic shot-making befitting the two future Hall of Famers and the best baseline defenders in tennis. The thrilled fans didn’t so much have an allegiance other than wishing for the full five sets, wanting it never to end, cheering for whomever had lost momentum. They got great tennis — a host of 25-shot rallies and one 54-shot point Djokovic won — but no five-setter. As Djokovic fell apart in the fourth set, the fans chanted “No-vak.”
“It’s what we do when we play against each other, always pushing each other to the limit,’’ said Djokovic, who has now played Nadal 37 times, falling to 15-22. “That’s the beauty of our matches and our rivalry in the end.’’
Nadal’s heavy lefty topspin, sliced backhand and scintillating drop shots were too much for the normally steadier Serb, who committed 53 unforced errors to Nadal’s 20.
The stars were out in the late afternoon for the two titans — David Beckham, Sean Connery , Jessica Alba, Justin Timberlake, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Chevy Chase and Leonardo DiCaprio. Goldie Hawn sat in her buddy Djokovic’s player’s box.
“Thirteen Grand Slams for a guy who is 27 years old is incredible,’’ Djokovic said.
Nadal explained his matches against Djokovic usually contain more marathon points because their styles are similar, unlike the contrasts with Roger Federer. Djokovic beat Nadal at the Australian Open in 2012 in a five-setter that took five hours and 53 minutes.
Monday, Nadal won the first set and Djokovic rallied to tie it at 1-1 before Nadal ran off with the match.
The turnaround occurred late in the third set. Djokovic had a chance to break Nadal at 4-4, racing to a love-40 lead. But Nadal survived, even sneaking to the net for an overhead smash to close out the critical game and go up 5-4. Nadal broke Djokovic to win the set — a lovely game highlighted by a joyous point in which both players chased down drop shots. Djokovic scooped out the final drop shot but Nadal was at the net to put away the forehand volley.
“It was disappointing that I dropped the third set,” Djokovic said, “even though I felt like especially in first four, five games I was the one who was, you know, dictating the play.’’
In the first game of the fourth set, Djokovic failed to capitalize on two break points and Nadal escaped again. Nadal then broke Djokovic to go up 2-0 — hitting a forehand winner down the line for a 2-0 lead and he could taste No. 13.
“It was tough not to compete last year, but [to] watch the final on television was not tough,’’ Nadal said. “I enjoyed watching the match from my sofa.’’
From the sofa to the throne. Again.