Kritik und Lob » personally believe very strongly in that.Goodell

NEW YORK -- Stan Wawrinka was about 2 1/2 hours removed from winning the U.S. Open for his third major championship when he was presented with a question he probably was figuring would be coming.The gist: After adding this trophy to those from the Australian Open in 2014, and the French Open in 2015, is it time to focus on completing a career Grand Slam by winning Wimbledon in 2017?Wawrinka ran his left hand through his hair, rubbed his eyes and smiled.So what? Are you saying next year I focus only on Wimbledon? There is no plan. The only plan is trying to push myself the maximum to be the best player I can, Wawrinka said Sunday night. Im not good enough to start and say, `OK, Im going to win a Grand Slam this year. No.Well, actually, Stan, you sure seem to be at this point. And that 6-7 (1), 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 victory over No. 1-ranked and defending champion Novak Djokovic in the U.S. Open final on Sunday night was only the latest evidence.Wawrinka might have won a French Open junior title as a teenager, but it sure took him a while to show that sort of talent at the elite level. So long in the shadow of his Swiss countryman and close friend Roger Federer, Wawrinka did not reach a Grand Slam semifinal until age 28, in his 35th appearance at one of his sports four most prestigious events.Now, though, Wawrinka has won three majors over the past three seasons, pulling even with Andy Murray. Since the 2005 French Open, Federer, Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have won 39 of 47 Grand Slam trophies. Only Wawrinka and Murray also have multiple titles in that span.So its clear that the third-ranked Wawrinka now must be seen among the cream of the crop in mens tennis and a threat at all big tournaments moving forward. He is, after all, 3-0 in major finals, and has won 11 consecutive finals overall.He hits a very heavy ball, especially from the backhand corner. Forehand is very flat. You know, he goes for his shots from the forehand side. Backhand, you know, great chip, great slice. He uses that when hes defending and then he comes up and can get you off the court with a backhand crosscourt. Thats probably one of the best shots in the game, Djokovic said. Physically, hes very strong, so he can endure a lot.Wawrinka has never made it past the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, and lost in the second round there this year to the resurgent Juan Martin del Potro.So what about Wimbledon? What might he be able to do there? He added 1996 champion Richard Krajicek as a coaching consultant on grass this season to help with volleying, so he is definitely interested in improving at the All England Club.Im trying. Im trying every year to improve. Im trying every year to find solutions, Wawrinka said. I didnt play my best tennis yet there. Hopefully it will come.Here is what else we learned during the 2016 U.S. Open:KERBER IS NO. 1: It becomes official on Monday when the new WTA rankings are released, but Angelique Kerber clinched her debut at No. 1 after the U.S. Open semifinals, then showed its definitely justified by winning her second Grand Slam title of the season. The 28-year-old German had never been so much as a finalist at a major until this season, but made three such runs, winning the Australian Open and finishing as the runner-up at Wimbledon, before dropping only one set at Flushing Meadows. Once known mainly as a counter-puncher, Kerber has become more aggressive during points, became more dedicated to raising her fitness, and worked with a mental coach to rise to the top. At 28, she is the oldest woman to reach No. 1, but her skills and stamina could keep her in the mix for a while.SERENA WILLIAMS: There was a lot of speculation about whether there is a changing of the guard in womens tennis, now that Serena Williams record-tying 186-week streak at No. 1 is over after a semifinal loss to Karolina Pliskova. Williams turns 35 this month, so some are ready to write her off. Not so fast. Dont forget that she has fared no worse than the semifinals at each of the past nine majors, including a Wimbledon title and two runner-up finishes this year.FEDERER AND NADAL: After ruling tennis for so long, Federer and Nadal didnt win a major title in 2015 or 2016, and neither was a factor at Flushing Meadows (Nadal lost in the fourth round; Federer missed the tournament while he rehabs his surgically repaired left knee). 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Colin Kaepernick on Wednesday thanked the public for making his jersey the NFLs top seller after his national anthem protest and vowed to donate all the proceeds he receives back into the communities.The?San Francisco 49ers?quarterback made his pledge in an Instagram post.Before Kaepernick first sat down in protest during the playing of the the Star Spangled Banner, he ranked higher than 120th in league jersey sales. Kaepernick moved to No. 1 on Tuesday.?The 49ers sold more Kaepernick gear online in the week after he began his protest than the previous eight months.It was something that the jersey sales jumped because of peoples belief that there can be change and we can make this country better and that they believe I was someone who can help that change, Kaepernick said Wednesday.For me, that support is something I have to give back to the communities for that cause because thats what their belief is, thats what my belief is and we can work towards a common goal.Kaepernick has not stood during the national anthem for the past two preseason games because he said he didnt want to show pride in the flag of a country that oppresses black people and people of color.He altered his protest in the 49ers final preseason game, taking a knee instead of sitting. He said he took the new approach after talking to former Green Beret annd NFL long-snapper Nate Boyer?in an effort to be more respectful to those offended by his protest and not take away from the military.dddddddddddde said he will continue his protest throughout the 2016 season.In coordination with his protest, Kaepernick had previously said he will donate $1 million to various causes.NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday that he disagrees with Kaepernicks choice to kneel during the national anthem, but recognizes the quarterbacks right to protest.I support our players when they want to see change in society, and we dont live in a perfect society. ... On the other hand, we believe very strongly in patriotism in the NFL, he told The Associated Press. I personally believe very strongly in that.Goodell added that with NFL players having a visible platform for their viewpoints, we have to choose respectful ways of doing that so that we can achieve the outcomes we ultimately want and do it with the values and ideals that make our country great.Kaepernick will start the season as the 49ers backup quarterback after coach Chip Kelly said Blaine Gabbert had won the starting job.ESPNs Darren Rovell, Nick Wagoner and The Associated Press contributed to this report. ' ' '