New York (AFP)

"It's something I will remember forever," said Novak Djokovic, after his loss in the US Open final, torn between "sadness" at not being able to achieve the calendar Grand Slam, and feeling "wonderful "to have won the hearts of the public, another long unfulfilled quest.

QUESTION: What emotions went through you towards the end of the match and after?

ANSWER: "There were many. At the end it was a relief, I was glad it was over because the preparation for the tournament and all that I had to deal with mentally and emotionally over the last two weeks, c 'was a lot. At the same time, I felt sadness, disappointment, but also gratitude for the audience and for this special moment that was reserved for me. Of course, part of me is very sad It's hard to swallow, this defeat, when you know all that was at stake. But on the other hand, I felt something that I had never felt in my life here in New York. audience made me feel very special. I wouldn't say I expected anything but the amount of support, energy and love that Ireceived spectators ... This is something I will remember forever. This is the reason why at the time of the last change of sides I just cried. The emotion was so strong. It's as strong as winning 21 Grand Slam tournaments. That's how I felt, in all honesty. They touched my heart. These are the kinds of times we cherish. Yeah, it was just wonderful. "Yeah, it was just wonderful. "Yeah, it was just wonderful. "

Q: In the Roland Garros final, when Stefanos Tsitspas was leading two sets to zero, you said you thought that if you made the break, you could win the match.

Did you have that hope today?

A: "It was different because my feelings on the court were not as good as in Paris. I lacked energy. There was an opportunity before, at the start of the second round. I have some break points, I was very close. Who knows what would have become of the game? With the support of the fans, I would have probably felt different. But Daniil was amazing. All the credit goes to him. He was the best. , mentally, in his approach to the match, in his game. He deserved to win. As for me, I know that I could and should have done better. But that's the sport. "

Q. Alexander Zverev, gold medalist in Tokyo, Medvedev now crowned in Major, do you think that a period of transition opens at the top of tennis?

A: "It has already started, with Dominic Thiem's ​​victory last year. The transition is inevitable. The alumni are still hanging on. We are still trying to shine the light on the tennis world as much as we can. But this generation is not new, it is current. They are going to take over and I think tennis is in good hands, because they are all nice guys and very, very good players. "

Serbian Novak Djokovic thanking the public for supporting him during the US Open final, lost to Russian Daniil Medvedev, September 12, 2021 in New York Kena Betancur AFP

Q. Did the previous matches catch up with you today physically?

A: "Possible. I spent more hours on the court compared to Daniil. But the period was also very emotionally trying, these last 5 or 6 months, between Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the Olympics (where he lost in the semi-final). Everything had to line up for me, unfortunately, I did not manage to take the last step. But I must be proud of what I accomplished this year, there is still three Grand Slam wins and a final. Other challenges await me. I have learned to overcome these kind of tough defeats in the Majors, the ones that hurt the most. I will try to learn from them. , to learn, to be stronger and to keep moving forward. I still love this sport and I always feel good. As long as there is this motivation,I will continue to run. "

QUOTES COLLECTED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE

© 2021 AFP