Rafael Nadal has defeated Novak Djokovic 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 to win his first US Open and compete the career Slam. Nadal becomes the seventh man to win each major at least once, and the second to win all four majors and the Olympic gold at some point during his career.
"That's more than what I dreamt. It's just amazing to be here in this final for me," said Nadal after the match, having never gone beyond the semifinals previously at this event. "To have this trophy here in my hands in a few seconds is going to be unbelievable."
It was the 24-year-old Nadal's third Grand Slam victory this year and his ninth overall, putting him alone at 7th place on the all-time list ahead of Andre Agassi, Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl, Fred Perry and Ken Rosewall.
Djokovic, who had defeated Roger Federer in five sets in the semifinals, won a rain-interrupted second set despite giving back an early break but faded in the fourth set against Nadal.
"Right now he is the best player in the world and he absolutely deserves this title," said Djokovic.