Novak Djokovic refused to blame the sapping heat, unsettling winds, his wife's pregnancy or anything else for crashing to his worst grand slam defeat in more than four years.
Japanese history-maker Kei Nishikori sent the world No.1 spinning out of the US Open on Saturday with a shock 6-4 1-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 semi-final win at baking hot Arthur Ashe Stadium.
It was Djokovic's first grand slam loss to a player ranked outside the top 10 since succumbing to the then-13th-ranked Tomas Berdych in the 2010 Wimbledon quarter-finals.
The deflating defeat that denied the Serb a fifth straight finals appearance in New York was also his worst at Flushing Meadows since Lleyton Hewitt hammered him 6-3 6-1 6-2 in round three when Djokovic was 19.
But the seven-times major winner offered up no excuses, preferring to praise Nishikori for his breakthrough and lament a rare off day at work.
"It was not easy to play in these conditions, but also he had more hours spent on the court. So it's no excuse," Djokovic said.
Nishikori, the world No.11 and 10th seed, battled for eight-and-a-half hours to overcome fifth seed Milos Raonic and third seed Stanislas Wawrinka in successive five-set matches to reach his maiden grand slam semi-final.
"I expected him to be able to play another five-setter because he had two days off," Djokovic said.
"He hasn't played (much) before this tournament, so he had a big break. He could prepare himself for this tournament.
"He played some great tennis. I congratulate him for the effort. He was the better player today."
The Serb was broken five times and made 35 unforced errors to Nishikori's 15 in the stifling heat and wretched wind and never really threatened any rearguard recovery mission like when he twice saved two match points in semi-final victories over Roger Federer in 2010 and 2011.
"Well, what can I say? Other than that second set, my game today was not even close to what I wanted it to be," he said.
"A lot of unforced errors, a lot of short balls. Just wasn't myself.
"I thought it was just an overall feeling. My strokes just weren't there."
Djokovic entered the tournament after back-to-back third-round exits in Toronto and Cincinnati, understandable hangovers from his epic Wimbledon final win over Federer and marriage days later to girlfriend Jelena Ristic, who is due next month.
But the 27-year-old felt he was peaking nicely for the final and said impending fatherhood wasn't an issue.
"Of course I am being part of her pregnancy. It's normal," he said.
"But it's no different for me in terms of preparing for the match and for the tournament.
"I had all my dedication, everything directed to this US Open.
"I tried to give my best and I did."
Share
