Hero

The all-time leader in Grand Slam singles titles broke over a two-year title drought by capturing his 14th career Grand Slam crown at US Open (14-4 in Slam finals)...Has won at least one Grand Slam title in nine of last 10 years (except 2001)...Fired 144 aces during tournament, including 33 in final, to capture his fifth US Open (in eight finals) and win for first time since 2000 Wimbledon...It was fourth time he defeated Agassi in a Grand Slam final and he improved to 20-14 lifetime against his long-time rival...In breaking 33 tournament drought, at 31 he became oldest to win Open since Ken Rosewall (35) in 1970 and oldest Grand Slam singles winner since Arthur Ashe (31 years, 11 mons.) won Wimbledon in 1975...He joined Rosewall as only players to win Grand Slam titles as a teenager, in 20s and 30s...Did not play rest of season...Finished out of Top 10 (No. 13) and with fewest match victories (27) for first time since 1989...His run of 12 consecutive Top 10 finishes trail only Jimmy Connors' 16 and Ivan Lendl's 13...Prior to US Open, his best results during year came in Houston in April when he reached final (d. Agassi in SF, l. to Roddick) and SF at TMS Indian Wells (l. to Hewitt) in March... Opened season with 4th RD showing at Australian Open (l. to Safin) and lost early at Roland Garros (1st RD to Gaudenzi) and Wimbledon (2nd RD to Bastl)...It was his earliest exit at All England Club since 1991...Played on U.S. Davis Cup team and went 1-1 in two ties... Worked with three coaches -- Tom Gullikson (five weeks), Jose Higueras (from late February through Wimbledon) and back with Paul Annacone (during US Open)...Had a 20-8 record on hard, 5-6 on clay and 2-3 on grass...Despite playing his fewest matches since 1989, finished No. 5 in aces (607, averaging 14.5 per match) and service games.