Wawrinka and Kerber Win US Open: Two Career Story Trophies 🎾

Stan Wawrinka beat Djokovic in four sets; Angelique Kerber beat Karolina Pliskova for her second major of 2016 (after Australian Open). Two trophy lifts that capped completely different career stories.

Two-Major Years Become a Lift Trilogy

Kerbers 2016 — January AO + September US Open — creates a multi-tournament narrative that single trophies cannot. Photographers retrospectively pair the two lift photos. For tournaments connected within a season (ATP/WTA tour, regional sport circuits), recognize that multi-event winners produce stronger story arcs than single-event winners — and brief media to chase that arc.

Wawrinka’s Third Major Style of Lift

Wawrinka has now won three Grand Slams — each in a different style of trophy lift. The reverse-cradle hold for the bowl-on-pedestal US Open trophy is specifically suited to that form. Champions instinctively find the right hold; coaches reinforce it. For your perpetual cup, photograph from multiple champions to identify which lift style your cup invites — and codify it for future winners.