NEW YORK – Novak Djokovic hates to lose, but the five-times grand slam champion was happy for his friend Andy Murray, who beat him in a pulsating, five-set struggle for the U.S. Open title on Monday.“Any loss is a bad loss. There is no question about it,” the Serb told reporters after his 7-6 7-5 2-6 3-6 6-2 defeat that denied him back-to-back U.S. titles. “I’m disappointed to lose the match.“I had a great opponent today. He deserved to win this grand slam more than anybody, I’m sure, because over the years he’s been a top player. He’s been so close, lost four finals. Now he has won it, so I would like to congratulate him. “Happy that he won it.”The long-awaited victory made Murray the first British man to win a singles grand slam title since Fred Perry 76 years ago.Djokovic, who is one week younger than fellow 25-year-old Murray and friendly off the court with a rival he has known since junior tennis days, welcomed Murray to the grand slam club after the Scotsman’s triumph.He walked around the net to give the dazed Murray a hug and a pat on the back after surrendering the nearly five-hour match with a forehand blasted long.
