US Open Tennis Final 2011: Novak Djokovic's Epic Win Is Dawn of New Tennis Era

When the story of Novak Djokovic's career is written, and you know that one day it will be, his victory over Rafael Nadal in the finals of the 2011 U.S. Open will be the most important part of the story.

It was on that day when Djokovic went from being just another great tennis player to one of the best players that any of us has ever seen. It was his third Grand Slam tournament win in 2011, but his first win at the U.S. Open.

Djokovic needed every ounce of energy he had left in his body after two weeks of play to dispatch Nadal, 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-1. The four-set match lasted over four hours and was as dramatic as any tennis match you will ever see. 

Djokovic was already a known commodity to tennis fans around the world, but, because he hadn't won the biggest tennis tournament in America, casual fans still were not sure of who he was. He was always playing third wheel to Nadal and Roger Federer, despite being ranked ahead of both men in the world rankings.

Even Nadal had to give Djokovic his due after the match was over, saying, "What you did this year is probably impossible to repeat."

It may be impossible to repeat what Djokovic has done this year, but if anyone can do it, it would be him. In his 66 matches this season, he has compiled a 64-2 record and three of the four Grand Slam titles. Not since Roger Federer in 2007 has one player held three of the four Grand Slam titles.

Tennis has been searching for its next dominant player after Federer turned 30 and it was clear that his best days were behind him. Fortunately for the sport, Djokovic has taken the ball and ran with it. He has put together one of the greatest seasons that any of us will ever see.

No longer will fans be focused on Federer and Nadal, because they know that whenever a tournament starts the man to watch is Novak Djokovic.

And considering that he is only 24-years-old, it is not out of the realm of possibility that he can have another three or four years that are as good as or better, if that is possible, than this year.