Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic of Serbia holds up the U.S. Open trophy after defeating Roger Federer of Switzerland in their men's singles final match at the U.S. Open Championships tennis tournament in New York, September 13, 2015. Reuters/Mike Segar TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic conquered Roger Federer in the 2015 US Open in New York at Arthur Ashe Stadium, defeating the Swiss Maestro in four sets, 6-4 5-7 6-4 6-4. While Djokovic did a remarkable job in handling a huge crowd of Federer supporters, it was the movie “300” that helped him channel his inner-Spartan to overcome the Grand Slam king.

Djokovic revealed that he had watched the movie “300” the night before his titanic battle against Federer to put him in the mood to battle out Federer. The 2007 movie, starring Scottish actor Gerard Butler, depicts a vastly outnumbered band of 300 Spartans fighting off advancing Persians in 480 BC. The same could be said for Djokovic, who was being cheered on his miscues and occasionally being disrupted on his service motion.

Djokovic said he looked at Butler, who was in his player’s box, and shouted “This is Sparta!” after hugging his wife Jelena, coach Boris Becker, and other members of his team. "We have known each other for several years and we are good friends," Djokovic said, the Straits Times reported. "He happened to be in the city over the last couple of days, so I invited him to come along.”

Fending off a huge crowd at the finals against Federer required Djokovic to play mind games with himself, confessing that whenever the crowd scream “Roger!” he would imagine they were shouting “Novak!” But the Serbian tennis star admitted he is well accustomed to playing the villain role on the court, and was mentally ready before playing Federer in Flushing Meadows.

Djokovic has now won his last three major matches against Federer in the 2014 and 2015 Wimbledon finals, and the US Open final this year. The Djoker now has 10 Grand Slams under his belt, putting him seventh overall behind Federer’s 17 Grand Slam titles. While Federer’s historical feat seems unlikely to be eclipsed, the 28-year-old Serbian believes he has a fair chance to fight for a few more Grand Slams if he keeps on taking care of his body.

“I would not be truthful to you if I would say I’m not thinking about it,” Djokovic told the New York Times. “Of course I am.”

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