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Djokovic Dominance Of Fritz Suggest He’s Improving With Age
2 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
Everybody remembers the 2021 Australian Open war between Novak Djokovic vs. Taylor Fritz that saw Fritz comeback from a two set deficit of 76 64. The rising American seemed to solve the Serbian superstar by winning the third and fourth sets 63 64. But then Djokovic summoned his beast mode with some ferocious roars and tennis perfection – and prevailed in set five 62.
At the time, based largely on that effort, it looked like Fritz was destined to become an elite ATP champion and an arch rival threat to Djokovic’s supremacy.
But that hasn’t happened exactly. Fritz did become a star attraction and won the Indian Wells title vs. Rafael Nadal in the final, but Djokovic beat Fritz in their next two 2021 meetings in Rome and Paris Indoors 63 76 and 64 63, respectively.
Fritz’s ranking kept rising to the top ten and he continued to battle Djokovic relatively close. Last year they played again at Nitto ATP Finals semifinals and Djokovic again prevailed 76 76.
Yesterday would be the fourth meeting vs Fritz since their AO five setter and another competitive duel was expected. But it didn’t happen as Djokovic inflicted the worst beating on Fritz since their first match in 2019 in Monte Carlo, a 63 60 rout by Novak.
Yesterday in Cincinnati at Western & Southern Open Djokovic clobbered world no. 9 Fritz 60 64, looking as great as ever at age 36, flying around the court at full speed and ease and producing his machine like shotmaking consistency over and over and over.
Djokovic may have extra motivation for this latest rampage. He’s rebounding from the crushing five set loss in the Wimbledon final to Carlos Alcaraz and he may be fueled by a drive to prove something at the next Grand Slam. Or perhaps the Cincy final where he is on path to rematch Carlos, who is also in the semis against Hubert Hurkacz. Djokovic will play Alexander Zverev in the other semi.
As shocking and supernatural as it may seem, Djokovic may be actually improving as a tennis player at age 36. If he can win the US Open next month and beat Carlos in the final, there would be no denying that theory.
(Novak artwork by Andres Bella and Ted Dimond.)
Novak Djokovic · Taylor Fritz · Western & SouthernOpen
2 comments
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Cory · August 19, 2023 at 10:05 am
Great artwork, love that. I think Djokovic has several more GS in his case to come. Obvious to say, however, that there will come a point around 38-40 where age catches up unmistakably and he just won’t be able to move around the court like he would need to to catch up to top 10 firepower. Much like a 39 yr old Fed who still had all the shotmaking but just couldn’t move around like he used to. So now is the time for Nole.
Robin Haase and Kozlov (separately) today Winston Salem qualies. Used to love watching Haase, guy has just been unable to get back into top 100 for like 3 yrs now. And Kozlov is the neverending riddle that keeps on giving.
PS, taking my daughter to the US Open qualies Tuesday! As i’ve said b4, i actually prefer the qualies over the opening rounds. Total dogfights!
Scoop Malinowski · August 19, 2023 at 6:25 pm
Cory I love Ted Dimond’s work too, consistently excellent and eye catching style. Novak Djokovic’s future is unpredictable, his body mind spirit are beyond comprehension and understanding by us mere mortals! I’ll be there tuesday, we’ll finally meet. Didn’t know Kozlov has resurfaced in atp, he’s been playing minor money tournaments in the mid west and not dominating over weaker comp. SO many great players out there.