Emotion empowered Stan Wawrinka in his four-set US Open final victory over Novak Djokovic.
Powerful emotion nearly consumed the third-seeded Swiss before the match.
US Open: Wawrinka Dethrones Djokovic
Wawrinka said he was so nervous before the final he was shaking and crying in the locker room minutes before walking out onto Arthur Ashe Stadium.
"Today, before the final, I was really nervous like never before. I was shaking in the locker," Wawrinka said. "When we start five minutes before the match talking, last few things with (coach) Magnus (Norman), I start to cry. I was completely shaking. But the only thing I was convinced with myself that my game was there.
"Physically I was there. My game was there. Put the fight on the court and you will have a chance to win. And that's what happen after few games when I start to believe in myself, start to be in the match. I was only focus on the match, not what can happen if I win the match. Is it the final of the U.S.? No, I'm just focused what I'm doing in the court."
Asked how he was able to compose himself and play such a strong match, Wawrinka offered a simple answer.
"I had to put my shit together," a smiling Wawrinka replied, evoking laughter from the media in his post-match press conference. "Sorry. That's how I say it."
The stress the three-time Grand Slam champion felt was a direct result of his deep desire to win.
"Because I don't want to lose the final in a Grand Slam. That simple," Wawrinka said. "That's the only reason. The pressure, I was feeling amazing after the semifinal. I was feeling great yesterday. Really happy.
"But this morning it start to be there, the feeling of you don't want to lose. I don't want to come to the court and lose a final. So close, so far."
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