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US Open 2018 talking points

Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Naomi Osaka of Japan hold their winners trophies at NBC's TODAY Show on September 10, 2018 in New York City.

The 2018 US Open will be remembered as one of the most dramatic Grand Slam tournaments in history.

The tournament in New York saw the big titles going to Naomi Osaka and Novak Djokovic, but it will be remembered for all manner of controversies and talking points.

Here, we pick out what we learned from a dramatic fortnight at Flushing Meadows...

Umpires in the limelight

Serena Williams was involved in a series of furious rows with chair umpire Carlos Ramos

After Mohamed Lahyani's mid-match pep talk to Nick Kyrgios caused uproar, Carlos Ramos became the third player in the women's final. In giving Serena Williams three code violations, the Portuguese official was applying the letter of the law, but other umpires would probably have given the 23-time Grand Slam champion a bit more leeway.

Rusedski: Serena's claims 'unjustified'
Rusedski: Serena's claims 'unjustified'

Serena Williams' sexism claims in US Open final are 'unjustified', says Greg Rusedski

Serena Williams

The frustration comes from a lack of consistency in the game. Particularly with coaching from the stands, there is a tacit understanding that it goes on, but it is punished only sporadically when it comes to majors. It is no surprise players feel they are being treated unfairly if not everyone is treated the same.

Novak closing in on Rafa & Feds

Novak Djokovic of Serbia poses with the championship trophy after winning his men's Singles finals match against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina on Day Fourteen of the 2018 US Open

Six months ago Novak Djokovic lost against world No 109 Taro Daniel at Indian Wells as the former world No 1 looked a shadow of his former self on his return from elbow surgery. From admitting to feeling like someone playing his "first match" Djokovic is now back to his vintage best and winning on the sport's biggest stages. The 31-year-old made it back-to-back Grand Slam titles as he produced an imperious performance to end Juan Martin del Potro's hopes of a second US Open title.

Fourth time Novak Djokovic has won multiple Grand Slam titles in a season:

2018 Wimbledon, US Open
2016 Australian Open, French Open
2015 Australian Open, Wimbledon, US Open
2011 Australian Open, Wimbledon, US Open
Djokovic wins third US Open title
Djokovic wins third US Open title

Novak Djokovic beats Juan Martin del Potro to win third US Open title

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates after winning his men's Singles finals match against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina on Day Fourteen of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 9, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City

Djokovic joins his idol Pete Sampras on 14 titles and is now closing the gap on his great rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. On what we have seen since he hit the grass at Queen's Club it would be hard to argue against making him the favourite for the Australian Open - four months before the tournament starts. He has moved himself into position to end his career as the most successful Grand Slam title winner.

Also See:

Did you know...

The US Open has been won by a member of the Big Four in 12 of the last 15 years with Federer (5), Djokovic (3), Nadal (3) and Murray (1) capturing titles. Since Roland Garros in 2005, the Big Four have accounted for 50 of the past 55 Grand Slam titles.

Del Potro: Novak can overtake Federer
Del Potro: Novak can overtake Federer

Juan Martin del Potro believes Novak Djokovic can overtake Roger Federer in Grand Slam stakes

Still waiting for the Next Gen

Alexander Zverev of Germany adjusts his necklace while playing Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germanyduring their 2018 US Open men's round 3 match on September 1, 2018 in New York.
Image: When will we see the real Alexander Zverev at a Grand Slam?

We started the tournament by asking the question as to whether the new wave of rising stars on the men's tour could finally start to make their mark on the Grand Slams. A last four of Nadal, Djokovic, Juan Martin del Potro and Kei Nishikori had an average age of 30 and experience continues to prevail on the biggest of stages. One man with no excuses is three-time masters champion Alexander Zverev who remarkably has only gone beyond the fourth round of the Grand Slams only once at this year's French Open. Until he makes his mark in the majors questions will continue to be asked.

Karen Khachanov of Russia celebrates a point during his men's singles third round match against Rafael Nadal of Spain on Day Five of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 31, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.
Image: Karen Khachanov gave Nadal a scare

The jump to five-set contests cannot be underestimated and there were mini successes along the way - Karen Khachanov's thriller with Nadal among them. Many can consider themselves unlucky following the draw, acquitting themselves well in high profile contests. Denis Shapovalov pushed Kevin Anderson to five sets, Alex de Minaur did likewise to Marin Cilic and Borna Coric was beaten by a rampant Del Potro. Perhaps only Stefanos Tsitsipas can be disappointed, losing to fellow rising star Daniil Medvedev, having arrived on the back of a Masters final in Cincinnati.

The NextGen are coming but they will have to wait for another year - one year older and one year wiser, there's no substitute for experience after all.

Career-high ATP Rankings in Top 50 after US Open:

No 18 Borna Coric
No 25 Karen Khachanov
No 35 Daniil Medvedev
No 38 Alex de Minaur

Naomi is big in Japan

Naomi Osaka of Japan poses with her championship trophy at the Rock Observation Deck at Rockefeller Center in New York on September 09, 2018, the morning after defeating Serena Williams of the United States, winning the 2018 US Open Women's Singles Finals.

The 20-year-old Naomi Osaka has been a rising talent for several years, with her forehand known as a major weapon, but, under the guidance of Serena Williams' former hitting partner Sascha Bajin, Osaka has become a much more rounded player and someone able to handle the big occasion with ice-cool calm. Allied to her endearing, quirky personality, there is no doubt tennis has new star.

Not only had she entered the history books as the first Japanese Grand Slam winner, but she achieved the feat with victory over Williams - her childhood idol - in extraordinary circumstances.

Osaka wins US Open as Serena rages
Osaka wins US Open as Serena rages

Naomi Osaka wins maiden US Open title after Serena Williams implodes with anger

Naomi Osaka of Japan poses with the championship trophy after winning the Women's Singles finals match against Serena Williams of the United States on Day Thirteen of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.

Osaka began 2018 ranked 68th, but had made her way into the top 20 by September, having celebrated the first WTA win of her career at Indian Wells in March. She will enter the top 10 for the first time, ranked seventh in the world. So how will she celebrate winning one of tennis' biggest prizes and achieving a lifelong dream? "Maybe I'll play video games. I don't know," she said.

British tennis still needs Murray

Andy Murray

Andy Murray's second-round exit seems a long time ago and was his earliest at a Grand Slam for a decade. But there were enough positive signs to at least indicate the Scot could return to being a factor at the latter stages of majors again. And Britain is not ready for him to bow out just yet. While Johanna Konta and Kyle Edmund have both excelled in their own right, neither made it past the first round here, and no British singles player has made it into the second week at four of the last five slams.

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