US Open Diary: Djokovic, Nadal Remember; Beyonce, Jay-Z In The House

© Getty ImagesJay-Z, Beyonce were among the celebrities in attendance Monday at the US Open.

ATPWorldTour.com takes a look at the news and talking points at the US Open on championship Monday.

Djokovic, Nadal Pay Tribute
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal both paid tribute to the victims of 9/11 following the US Open final.

“I don’t want to forget the memory for 9/11 from yesterday,” said Nadal, after accepting his runner-up trophy. “That’s a hard day yesterday for everybody, but keep going, and all the best for the victims of the families.”

Djokovic, who wore a FDNY hat upon his entrance for the final and also during the trophy presentation ceremony, echoed Nadal’s sentiments. “Just want to add what Rafa said, to give my compassion to the people of 9/11,” he said. “Our hearts are with [you]. This is more than sport. We’re playing sport, it’s great, we’re enjoying, but we cannot even realise how lucky we are to live and to be able to do something we love. So all our support.”

9-11-01 was painted in white on the court of Arthur Ashe Stadium to honour the lives lost 10 years ago.

Celebrity Parade
A cavalcade of A-list celebrities were in the house for the US Open final Monday, including Beyonce, Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake. Others in attendance included Stanley Tucci, Ben Stiller, Christine Taylor, Alec Baldwin, Bradley Cooper, Paul Simon, Owen Wilson, John Lithgow, Thomas Gibson, Chris Pine, Robert Pine, Peter Sarsgaard, Andy Samberg, Anna Wintour, Ron Rifkin, and NASCAR drivers Brian Vickers and Jimmie Johnson.

The final earned high marks from 30 Rock star Alec Baldwin (@AlecBaldwin), who tweeted during the match: “I don't believe I've seen greater athleticism in tennis, or anywhere for that matter, than in this US Open Men's Final”. He later added, “This match is stunning”.

View Celebrity Photo Gallery

McEnroe: The Greatest Year Ever
John McEnroe enjoyed one of the greatest campaigns in tennis history in 1984, but stated Monday that Djokovic’s phenomenal effort this season outshone his own. “Djokovic is on a roll right now, and compiling what I think is going to be the greatest year in our history… It’s a whole lot tougher to do it now than when I did it. This guy has been phenomenal. The quality is so much better, it’s so much more physical.”

Djokovic, like McEnroe in 1984, has lost just two matches through the end of the US Open. McEnroe went on to compile an 82-3 match record and 13 tour-level titles.

Roger Federer came within one win of matching McEnroe’s win-loss record six years ago, but lost the final of the season-ending championships to David Nalbandian to finish with an 81-4 mark.

Tweet Of The Day
@ivokarlovic They should start making @DjokerNole action hero cartoons.