By Jayita Belcourt
With his dominating performance over tennis great Roger Federer in the semi-finals at the Australian Open, it was no surprise World number one Novak Djokovic would come out firing for the decider in Melbourne Park.
Yes, in just under 3 hours [2 hours, 53 mins], the Serbian superstar demolished his Scot opponent, Andy Murray in what was a very one-sided affair 6-1, 7-5, 7-6 (7-3) to win his sixth Australian Open title. Amazingly, Djokovic has won six of the last nine Australian Open crowns and it’s the fourth time he has knocked down Murray in the final clash at Rod Laver arena.
And to add salt to the wound, luck did not fall the Scotsman’s way either, with two of Djokovic’s serves in the second set, called in, when in fact they were faults and went unchallenged.
Controversy or not, the Australian Open was always going to be Novak’s title.
Former world number 1 and tennis legend Jim Courier, was asked earlier in the week who he thought would take the first event of the season. Unquestionably he alluded it was going to be the World number one. With Djokovic’s relentless pursuit of excellence, Courier believes it’s given him a whole new edge, making the task of shifting him from the top spot, virtually impossible.
“He’s changed his diet and a lot of different things. Fitness wise, stretching – it’s well documented this guy is so flexible out there. He’s been relatively injury free,†Courier insightfully explained.
“How long is he going to dominate is now really the question that we have to start asking ourselves. He’s really separated himself from a great chase pack behind him.â€
“I can’t remember a time in the history of tennis where one player we looked at would be the favourite in every majorâ€. “He’s so complete.â€
Newly retired Australian tennis legend and fellow commentator, Lleyton Hewitt, was in absolute agreement with Jim, stating that Djokovic has “taken it [the game] to a whole new level†and noted how impressed he was that the 28 year old could so effortlessly turn “defense into offenceâ€.
“I think every grand slam, he’s going in there so confident at the moment and he is the red hot favourite,†shared Hewitt. “No one seems able to stop him at the moment.â€
Clearly elated, Djokovic could not hide his excitement after clinching his 11th career grand slam title which now sees him sit alongside other greats Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver.
“It’s an incredible feeling,†Djokovic shared. “I’m extremely honoured to be mentioned along legends of our sport like Rod Laverâ€.
“When you have an opportunity to make history, it adds to that motivation and incentive before you come out onto the court. I try not to think about it too much, but yet again, I try to use that, channel that in a positive way and use it as a kind of encouragement.â€
“I don’t take anything for granted, even though I won four out of five Grand Slams, played five finals out of five Grand Slams last that I played. It’s phenomenal. I’m very proud of it, as is my team. We worked very hard to be in this position, and we should enjoy it.â€
Looking forward, Djokovic believes 2016 will be another incredible season, given the right mindset and approach.
“No doubt that I’m playing the best tennis of my life in the last 15 months. You know everything is going well privately, as well. I became a father and husband, have a family, so I feel like I’m at the point in my life where everything is working in harmony. I’ll try to keep it that way,†Djokovic shared.
“I don’t want to think how far I can go, or where my boundaries are. Of course I do prepare myself always to perform my best in the grand slams and to fight for these trophies as anyone else.â€
“I always strive to improve not just the game of technically, tactically, but also mentally.â€
“There is no reason to be anything else except optimism,†Djokovic revealed. “In my eyes, the kind of approach I have, at this stage of my life where I’ve won almost every tournament that I’ve played, I think it’s fair for me to actually think confidently and believe that I can win every match that I play on and have that kind of attitude in life. It’s been working so far so why not still keep on goingâ€.
So how long can he dominate? As I look into my crystal ball, with the next 3 slams and Olympics upcoming in 2016, I can’t see anyone else but Novak.
Copyright 2010
Tennis-Prose.com
Tennis-Prose.com
Scoop Malinowski · February 1, 2016 at 8:18 am
As we saw with Sampras and Federer – the heir apparent will suddenly emerge out of nowhere – At the height of Pete and Fed’s reigns I remember how hard it was to imagine a greater player following them – then Fed came and surpassed Pete and Rafa came and surpassed Fed – the heir apparent who will be better than Djokovic is out there now and we all have probably seen him play and or read his name — the question is – Who is he??? But in the mean time it is a joy and thrill to watch the greatest champion in the history of tennis perform his tennis magic major after major after major – and this ultimate super champion will break Fed’s 17 record perhaps even at US Open in 2017 – thanks for adding the Courier and Hewitt quotes Jayita always nice to know what those two have to say —
BoDu · February 1, 2016 at 1:32 pm
I think the heir apparent will emerge from Kyrgios,Zverev,Kokinnakis generation but it won’t happen before 2019. I believe Djokovic has a window of opportunity in 2016,2017 and 2018.
Dan Markowitz · February 1, 2016 at 1:35 pm
I think men’s tennis definitely needs a brash colorful player along the lines of a Kyrgios who plays differently than the top guys to emerge. It’d be nice to have a young American player with some personality come up the rankings. It doesn’t look to me like Sock is that guy, and I like watching Sock play and I like his personality, even though if you had a guy like Harry emerge (I know that’s not happening), who has more edge, it’d be a lot more interesting.
I mean if you look at the history of American tennis–even look at the history of American cinema or politics–it’s much more interesting when an iconoclastic James Dean player comes into the fold. Murray can be a little interesting in that regard, but you take a Johnny Mac or Connors, Agassi and Roddick to a degreee, and the game was always better when these players were at the top of the game.
There’s too many non-descript European guys now at the head of the game. You don’t have any Americans besides Izzie, who’s a big bore, or even any South Americans, who used to produce charismatic players like Vilas, Clerc, Guga, Coric and Nalby to lesser degrees.
Now you’ve got guys like Wawa at the top of the game–c’mon, what kind of wimp move was that last summer to default once Kyrgios cuckold-ed him?–or the Spanish machines and the French milquetoast players. The men’s game needs a fiery athletic flashy player to emerge and if not that, for Kyrgios to dominate.
catherine bell · February 1, 2016 at 2:44 pm
Don’t think it was Kyrgios who cuckolded Wawrinka – it was his buddy Kokinnakis – Kyrgios just passed on the happy news.
Not that it matters.
Dan Markowitz · February 1, 2016 at 3:58 pm
Yes yes, you’re right, it was Kokky, but in a way it was Kyrgios too because he was the messenger. Wawa would probably still be in the dark about it if Nick didn’t bark about it.
Scoop Malinowski · February 1, 2016 at 6:07 pm
BoDu: Kyrgios is on the “heir apparent” candidate list – but his personality is not nearly as ambassadorial as Fed Rafa or Djokvic – can see him being a fleeting no 1 like Rios or Safin – Kokkinakis and Zverev seem to have the right personalities and qualiites to be a longstanding no 1 – Coric is kinda stuck in the mud – Fritz is also a very strong candidate imo —
Scoop Malinowski · February 1, 2016 at 6:09 pm
Tennis needs a colorful personality and character like Kyrgios Dan – for SURE – let’s hope Kyrgios inspires younger players and all players to show their individuality and flair –
Scoop Malinowski · February 1, 2016 at 6:11 pm
Good to see that Kokkinakis and Kyrgios are still very close now after that whole debacle – also good to see Stan and Nick together as teammates in IPTL though they weren’t exactly bosom buddies they did high five and celebrate together –