US Open Final - What The Players Said

© Getty ImagesJuan Martin del Potro: "I did my dream".

Twenty-year-old Argentine Juan Martin del Potro was in disbelief moments after achieving his lifelong dream with a comeback win over World No. 1 and five-time US Open champion Roger Federer. "It's difficult to explain this moment," he said. "Since [I was] young, I dream with this and take trophy with me. I did my dream, and it's unbelievable moment. It's amazing match, amazing people. Everything is perfect."

Meanwhile, the runner-up - a new father of twin daughters - was gracious in defeat. "This one I think is easy to get over just because I've had the most amazing summer. I tried everything, you know. Didn't work. I missed chances. He played well and in the end it was a tough fifth set. It's acceptable. But life goes on. No problem."

Here is what the newly crowned Grand Slam champion and the runner-up had to say following the five-set match.

Del Potro: "Well, when I won the second set, I think if I continuing playing same way, maybe I have chance to win. But after, when I lost the third set, going to break up, I start to think bad things, you know. It was so difficult to keep trying to keep fighting.  But one more time the crowd and the fans helped me a lot to fight until last point.  I think I have to say thank you to everyone for that."

On building a Grand Slam legacy: "I don't know, I just want to live this moment.  Of course I will be in the history of this tournament.  That's amazing for me.  I have new opportunities in the other Grand Slams to win, because if I did here, if I beat Nadal, Federer and many good players, maybe I can do one more time. But of course, will be difficult, because I was so close to lose today."

On a nervous start: "The beginning of the match I was so nervous, I can't sleep last night. I don't take a breakfast today. That's part of the final, you know. But Roger start very good.  I start little down. Was bad with my serve, and that's important weapon of my game. When I broke his serve for first time, I start to believe in my game."

After his two double-faults in the second set: "That moment I start to think the final, playing with Roger, the best player of the history, nothing to lose.  And be two sets to one down, but I think, okay, you never lose until the last point, so keep fighting.  The crowd help me, and they saw my fight in every point. So I think that's help me."

Can he become No. 1?: "Well, I think everything is to learn about this match.  I have many things to improve to be better.  Of course I would like to be in top 4, top 3, or top 1 in the future.  But I have to play like today many, many weeks in the year.  If I still working and still going in the same way, maybe in the future I can do."

Federer: "I thought it was a tough match from the start. I think even the first set was, you know, pretty close. I think both getting used to the conditions.  It was kind of tough starting around the 4:00 time because the shadows moving in and stuff. I got off to a pretty good start, and had things under control as well in the second set.  I think that one cost me the match eventually. But I had many chances before that to make the difference. So it was tough luck today, but I thought Juan Martin played great. I thought he hung in there and gave himself chances, and in the end was the better man."

On coming close to a sixth US Open title: "Five was great, four was great, too. Six would have been a dream, too. Can't have them all. I've had an amazing summer and a great run. I'm not too disappointed just because I thought I played another wonderful tournament. Had chances today to win, but couldn't take them. It was unfortunate."

What it means for del Potro: "I think the first major is always a big deal.  Best feeling on the planet after all the hard work you put in.  Especially nice when it comes when you're quite young because it comes kind of unexpected for him as well even though he put himself in a good opportunity and position.  But it's great.  It was good to see him being so happy and emotional about it. He should enjoy it. He deserves it. It was a great match for him, too.

"Well, I mean, I guess, yeah.  It's always an amazing effort coming through and winning your first in your first final.  Got to give him all the credit because it's not an easy thing to do, especially coming out against someone like me with so much experience.  I think it's not easy to have a steel racquet. Towards the end, of course, up 5‑2 in the fifth. That was easy. But he had to live through some really tough moments earlier on in both breakers throughout those sets to come back. So his effort was fantastic.  I thought himself he went through quite a few ups and downs.  This is the one I should have used to make a difference, but I couldn't."

His outstanding 2009 season: "Unbelievable. Unbelievable run. Being in all major finals and winning two of those, I'm losing the other two in five sets.  Sure, I would have loved to win those two as well.  Being so close, I think was two points from the match today.  That's the way it goes sometimes. But year has been amazing already and it's not over yet.  Got married and had kids, don't know how much more I want."

On the future: "There's a lot of time between now and the Australian Open.  We have some big ones, you know, along the way.  So I hope I can keep it up because I'm playing great tennis right now.  I'm confident and I think I'm hitting a good ball.  This doesn't take away anything from how much I've achieved this year, so I've had a wonderful season in terms of Grand Slams.  Next to that, I also got back to No. 1 in the world.  I hope I can defend that until the end of the year and then hopefully win the World Tour final in London.  Along the way, I hope I can get some other titles like my home tournament in Basel.  We'll see how it goes."