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The new king of tennis is Novak Djokovic
30 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
Down in Miami, during the first few days of the event, a somewhat doubtful Roger Federer wondered if not questioned how much longer Novak Djokovic would be able to maintain his level of excellent tennis.
“If you’re hot, like Novak at the moment, or me back a few years ago when I won back to back Indian Wells and Miami, you could do it, you know, just because the draw falls into place, you are playing well, you are not thinking too much and you are just better than the rest – at the moment,” said Federer.
Emphasis on “At the moment.”
Listening to Federer, you got the sense he expected Djokovic to falter again soon, like he had before in the past.
But Djokovic responded in Miami by stating firmly, “It’s only the start of the year. I want to move on. I’m using the experience that I had two years ago, three years ago when I won a Grand Slam, when I won Indian Wells and then I lost here first round. I had a lot of opening round losses throughout the year and I wasn’t managing to be consistent with the success. This time I will do differently.”
Emphasis on “This time I WILL DO DIFFERENTLY.”
Has he ever.
Djokovic defeated Nadal for the third straight time in Masters Series final in Rome 6-4 6-4. And he seems to be getting stronger by the tournament. Nadal, desperate to hold off this invader of his domain played as if his life depended on it. Yes, this match was much more than just a match, this was a confrontation on so many levels. Nadal tried everything he knew – but, astonishingly, it was not enough to overcome this tennis marvel Djokovic.
Djokovic was in control for the entire match but if there was an iota of doubt or weakness in his armor, Nadal would have capitalized on it and won the match. But Djokovic is simply impregnable right now. Despite all the tennis he has played of late, and the physical demands of the over-three-hour semifinal win against Andy Murray, Djokovic never showed any hints of exhaustion. In fact, he even seemed to get stronger as this epic war progressed.
When Nadal fought back and had Djokovic against the ropes – leveling the score at 2-2 in the second after falling behind the early break, or the deuce at 4-all in the second – Djokovic responded by raising his game to a gear Nadal simply could not handle. Djokovic always maintained the upper hand as Nadal battled with all his fury and intensity. Djokovic held for 5-4 and then turned up the heat again, hitting some offensive strikes to put Nadal in a fatal love-40 hole. Nadal, the warrior he is, came back from apparent death, to get it back to deuce, but Djokovic stepped it up again. Match point was an incredible struggle punctuated by another dramatic net cord from Nadal which the cool and composed Djokovic forehanded to Nadal’s two-hander in the short court. But Nadal couldn’t handle the ball and netted it.
Djokovic fell on his back, and raised his champion fists. He had finally, finally after all these years learned how to master the mighty Spaniard. Madrid was no fluke or off day. By doing it again in Rome, Djokovic has emphatically proved he is without a doubt, the best player in the world, not to mention the best player on clay too.
When they met at the net, Nadal, as in Madrid, offered no embrace for his conqueror, just a quick, perfunctory handshake. The great king has been dethroned. This defeat will be very difficult to swallow. For it may be the end of Nadal’s six year reign of the terra battue.
The Foro Italico was in a frenzy at what they just saw. They really love Novak in Rome, they chanted his name “Novak, Novak” throughout the duel and when it was over they showered him with love and amore. Grown men blew him kisses and little kids swung their arms in imitation. This was a monumental, historic performance, one that will not be forgotten by any one who witnessed it. I’d call it one of the greatest performances I’ve ever seen on a tennis court.
Though the ATP rankings can’t yet declare the new #1 until a few more weeks, the throne has unofficially changed hands. Novak Djokovic is the new king of tennis.
As for Paris…there can little doubt now about what is going to happen at Roland Garros.
No tags
Andrew Miller · May 16, 2011 at 1:09 am
Definitely a great performance – any time you take down history’s best clay player it is incredible.
Still shocked both Nadal and Djokovic speak italian. No dumb jocks here.
Djokovic is looking like a French Open champ.
Michael · May 16, 2011 at 1:32 am
“As for Paris…there can little doubt now about what is going to happen at Roland Garros.”
Check the RG betting odds if you want to see the doubt expressed numerically.
Sakhi · May 16, 2011 at 2:14 am
Indeed. I have never seen Nadal look as ordinary or disgruntled. My sense is that this will be good for tennis. Nadal reveres Federer, so everytime he beats him, he looks almost crestfallen. In this case, even though the Djoker and Nadal are ostensibly buddies, I smell a more fierce tension brewing. I don’t think Djokovic can keep his mouth diplomatically shut for too long. He’s been spouting all the right things, but soon he’s be talking smack again (and justifiably so–he’s earned the right) and I see a big duel ahead.
NOW, the big question here as we sit back and enjoy this new rivalry is: can anyone have the longevity of Federer?
Dan Markowitz · May 16, 2011 at 3:37 am
I think you’re jumping the gun asking if anyone can have the longevity of Federer. That’s to be determined in the next half-decade. Right now, give Djokovic his due. Everyone said he couldn’t win the big one, and then he creamed Murray in Melbourne. Then he couldn’t win in the U.S., and he won back to back Masters and then he couldn’t win on clay, and especially against Nadal, and then he’s beaten him twice in a row, in straight sets, on the slower clay courts of Rome.
It’s remarkable, as Scoop said, that after the three-set marathon with Murray, Djokovic looked so strong and fit today. This was an echo to when he lost to Nadal at last year’s U.S. Open, after playing the draining five-set match against Federer in the semis.
Djokovic is serving so well, and hitting the forehand so well. And, of course, he moves better than anyone in the game and even uses the backhand drop shot from behind the baseline effectively. He’s had both Murray and Nadal scrambling to retrieve those droppers.
The next two big challenges for Djokovic: prove he can beat Nadal in a major, on clay, over five sets if necessary. And then there’s the Big W. If he meets these next two challenges, his chance of winning a Grand Slam, I’d say, are better than 50 per cent.
Scoop Malinowski · May 16, 2011 at 12:53 pm
As long as Gus Hansen doesn’t bet a million on Nole to win the French, Djok looks like a lock.
Scoop Malinowski · May 16, 2011 at 12:59 pm
I disagree Sakhi, Djokovic has matured and knows how to play the game now on and off court. He’s not going to put his foot in his mouth ever again. He realizes how important it is to have the crowds behind him, as he did rather stunningly yesterday in Rome. He is a sensitive chap who was clearly hurt by that US Open episode after beating Roddick and he clearly loves being adored by the crowds and he will not do or say anything to jeopardize this positive relation. He is a true champion now, it took a while to gain the experience and mature but he is there now. Agree though that Nadal will try everything to knock Djok off. Losing to Djok to end his reign as the king of clay and world #1 is the most bitter pill he could ever swallow and you would expect him to fight this tooth, nail, kicking and scratching. As for the longevity of Djokovic’s reign, let’s wait and see, this could be one heckuva ride.
Dan Markowitz · May 17, 2011 at 2:00 pm
I think you soon have to ask–especially if Novak wins the French–whether Djokovic will become the greatest player of all time. I know that sounds outlandish, but he has personally knocked the two top players ever off the perch of No. 1. I think both Federer and Nadal are astounded, especially Federer. He never gave Novak credit for being a great player.
People on the Tennisweek.com board scoffed at me when I said Novak would win 12 slams. I said this after he won his first slam in 2008 at 20. It took Djoko three more years to win his second slam, and as we sit here now, he’s only won two slams, both Aussie Opens. But is winning two slams a year for the next five years an outlandish number to give Djokovic? I don’t think so.
He is quickly proving to be the greatest combination of hard court-clay court tennis player ever. Only Nadal, who’s only won the U.S. Open and Aussie Open once each, can rival Djoko in this regard. It’s interesting that Novak’s McEnroe moment, where he lost to Nadal at the US Open finals last year while Mac lost to Borg in the Wimby finals of 1980, has set this Djoko roll in motion.
Djokovic may become the greatest player of all time and still not win as many majors as Nadal and Federer. I say anyone who beats the two slam champions and overtakes them as the dominant player in the world–if Djoko can sustain this for the next few years–should be named the GOAT.
Scoop Malinowski · May 17, 2011 at 3:14 pm
He is looking like the potential GOAT right now the way he is playing, however long he can sustain it really doesn’t matter. The quality of tennis he is playing right now has surpassed the best of Nadal and Federer IMO. Nadal can’t handle him and Federer’s backhand is not and never was as solid as Djokovic’s two hander is now. Djokovic has taken tennis to a new, higher level. Dan you were ahead of your time to suggest that Djok could win as many slams as Roger, it certainly is possible, if he can sustain this level for several years. Whow knows, he might even take it even higher, the best of Djokovic may be yet to come. It’s possible he could dominate the ATP in a way that Sampras did. And don’t forget, Djokovic is also a monster on grass, he has made SF twice (2010 and 2007) and QF once. Now that he believes he can beat Federer and Nadal in the big moment, I am sure he will win Wimbledon(s) sooner than later.
RIP van winkle · May 17, 2011 at 3:16 pm
A great thing for tennis would be Djoker beating Rafa in the French Open final. Djoker would be halfway to the Grand Slam, he would be undefeated, break the record for most consecutive wins to tart the season and the entire sports world would take notice. When he led Serbia to Davis Cup title in December people thought it might wear him out but instead he has been totally inspired. He has the swagger back to hold off Murray in that semi then come right back and sweep Nadal again was astounding. Even Ana told me hanging out with him at Hopman Cup was inspiring because “he has so much fun training and on court…”
Dan Markowitz · May 17, 2011 at 6:55 pm
Hey RIP (Van Winkle)–
Good to hear from you again. I think you’re right. I credited Djoko with receiving his inspiration from losing to Nadal in the US Open finals, but I think it was really–as you say–the Serbian Davis Cup experience that invigorated Djoko.
I’ve been reading “High Strung” by Tignor and he said that each shot in those McEnroe-Borg, Mac-Connors matches were so important because they didn’t have the powerful rackets to put the ball away from behind the baseline. But I think in a Djoko-Nadal match, every shot is crucial too, because these guys can get you out of position in one shot. They usually don’t crack winners outright without setting up their opponent because they both move so exceptionally well.
Last point, I remember Spadea saying that what made Nadal so special is he not only ran down balls, but he ran them down and hit amazing shot off the run. Djoko does this even better than Nadal.
It’s hard believing Nadal will beat Nadal in Paris. If there’s anyone who thinks he will, let’s hear from you now and not after the fact if he comes up with the big upset.
Sakhi · May 17, 2011 at 8:14 pm
Okay, peeps, let’s calm down a beat. I know the Djoker is on a tear but GOAT??!! Seriously, is this all it takes to make that argument? Once he wins at least 6 GS, we can start that conversation. I’m really quite surprised that my question about longevity is seen as irrelevant while your equally futuristic aspirations about him being GOAT are seen as relevant.
Let’s just enjoy the tennis for now boys and avoid making outlandish predictions. Djoker has yet to prove this form is for the long durée — and until he does that year in and year out, GOAT conversations are patently absurd.
Scoop Malinowski · May 17, 2011 at 11:39 pm
True Sakhi, if he comes back down to earth in the coming months, it will be Rafa and Fed’s world again. But these are the things we are supposed to try to analyze and predict – the future and who will achieve what. Anyone can sit back and go with the flow and watch what happens. We have spent many many hours and years observing this sport and it’s nuances and we should have the educated eye to be able to see the future. We obviously believe Djokovic is going to accomplish big big things in the this sport. It really looks like Djokovic has all the right qualities and the mental and physical make up to rule as the dominant king of tennis. Looking forward to see what happens. It should be one helluva ride.
Dan markowitz · May 18, 2011 at 2:30 am
Rafa might come back to prominence, but Fed will never be Top Dog again. That I feel comfortable in predicting as much as I feel Djokovic will be the dominant player over next few years. Look who Federer has lost to in Gasquet and Melzer. These aren’t even Top 10 players.
Scoop Malinowski · May 18, 2011 at 12:32 pm
John McEnroe said in The Indepedent that Rafa needs to make changes, such as attack more offensively. Kind of interesting that McEnroe thinks the king of clay has to come up with new ideas now. But knowing Nadal he is always open minded to change and improving his game and with coach McEnroe’s advices maybe he can break this spell that Djokovic has over him.
lit · May 18, 2011 at 2:41 pm
When did Melzer dropped out of TOP 10?
Dan Markowitz · May 19, 2011 at 3:19 am
Lit,
Will you please stop it with Melzer. He’s the softest No. 8 player in the history of tennis. He’s having a great year, right? He’s 12-10 in 2011.
He’s a big-time player, right? At 30, he’s got a slam record about as impressive as Vince Spadea’s. Okay, Melzer made it to one slam semis, but then all he’s done is a few Rd of 16’s.
Take Melzer, please!
Scoop Malinowski · May 19, 2011 at 11:51 am
Melzer’s rank is surprising. As one who doesn’t study the rankings that much, if you’d ask where is Melzer ranked, I’d say between 15 and 30. Because though he had some big results last year he has been quiet this year. Thought it would have dropped. But #8 is excellent. The ranking points don’t lie. He is where he belongs. There are no ways to get easy ranking points in tennis Melzer has earned his $8 for sure and is a rock solid top 10 player which can never be taken away.
lit · May 19, 2011 at 1:11 pm
Soft or not, he has done a lot better that other not-so-soft-ones 🙂
May be he will drop out of Top 10 after RG but anyway he had earned his ranking.
Michael · May 20, 2011 at 1:32 am
@Dan I think you soon have to ask–especially if Novak wins the French–whether Djokovic will become the greatest player of all time.
>>You sound like the kiddies at another forum that pronounce a new GOAT anytime someone wins a big match.
@Dan I know that sounds outlandish, but he has personally knocked the two top players ever off the perch of No. 1.
>>Someone will always knock the number one off the perch at some point else Tilden would still be number one. And he didn’t knock off the two best players ever. Fed somewhere between 2006-2008 may have been the best player ever. Fed at 29+ is on no ones list (except apparently yours) as the best ever. And it’s not clear Nadal has hit his prime anymore than Djoker has.
@Dan I think both Federer and Nadal are astounded, especially Federer.
>>I can’t get into Fed’s head. I sincerely doubt it.
@Dan He never gave Novak credit for being a great player.
>>Yes, just like he isn’t going to announce his decline to you at a press conference. He may not believe it or he may just not like the guy. This is common throughout tennis history. When the new guy (or gal) comes up to knock off a current top dog. It’s not always greeted with an acknowledgement of how great the newbie is.
@Dan People on the Tennisweek.com board scoffed at me when I said Novak would win 12 slams.
>>And it remains to be done.
@Dan But is winning two slams a year for the next five years an outlandish number to give Djokovic? I don’t think so.
>>Outlandish, no. But he’s got a long, long way to go. He hasn’t won a single F, W or USO and he’s 23 I think ?
@Dan He is quickly proving to be the greatest combination of hard court-clay court tennis player ever.
>> That statement is ludicrous. He’s won a total of how many French in a row so far ? Come back to me after he’s won 5 or 6 in a row along with a few USOs. You can’t quickly prove to be the best ever on clay/hard court because it takes years to put up the results. Things change. People get injured. Upsets happen. Younger players develop.
@Dan Only Nadal, who’s only won the U.S. Open and Aussie Open once each, can rival Djoko in this regard.
>>Just ridiculous. Novak isn’t even in the conversation of greatest clay/hard court player until he wins at least a few French and a few USO. Masters 1000s just don’t matter when discussing the greatest accomplishments. You want to say someone is the greatest on clay — show me the French Opens. Ditto the USOs for hardcourts. (I still retain a bit of bias that the Australian is not on the same level even though everyone plays it now. Maybe the USO is tougher because it comes after the meat of the tennis season has been played).
@Dan I say anyone who beats the two slam champions and overtakes them as the dominant player in the world–if Djoko can sustain this for the next few years–should be named the GOAT.
>>OK. But it’s a preposterous measure — merely overtaking number 1 and an almost 30 year old player. I go by Majors, total weeks at number one, years ended at number one. Measures like that. You go by overtaking Nadal for “the next few years” and Feds inevitable age-related decline. I guess if DelPo gets back in full form and hammers Djoker on a hard court I’ll declare DelPo GOAT….
Don’t get me wrong. Djoker has a complete game. His potential appears presently unlimited. But he has miles to go before he sleeps, miles to go before he sleeps.
Also, don’t tell Drucker we’re all making predictions but I’ll go with Nadal to win the French. And Murray maybe upsetting Fed or Djoker. Murray, hardly riding a wave of confidence, was mighty close to taking out the unbeatable Djoker.
Dan Markowitz · May 20, 2011 at 7:51 pm
Michael,
I don’t think you fully got your thoughts out on the matter. All I have to say is, “They scoffed at Galilleo and Columbus, too.” Just think of me as the great explorer of tennis predictions.
Yes, Djoko has a long way to go, but he’s taken down Federer with a vengeance. Granted, Federer is obviously not the same guy, but Djoko’s beat him in last two slam semis and that’s not easy to do,
And Nadal isn’t in his prime, no? You think Nadal is ever going to have a better year than last year. You think he’s going to get to too many more IW and Miami finals the way he did this year? Come on, vamos! Nadal is turning 25, if anything he’s on his way down from his peak, as we’re maybe seeing this year.
As for Djoko, I admit it is a tall order for him to become the GOAT just because he’s a late-bloomer. He’s turning 24 and just now he’s dominating the game. But whether or not he sustains this brilliant streak of play, and wins double-digit slams, you’d have to say up to now, he’s having the greatest season ever recorded in the Open Era of tennis. And that’s saying a lot.
Michael · May 21, 2011 at 2:52 am
“you’d have to say up to now, he’s having the greatest season ever recorded in the Open Era of tennis.”
It doesn’t mean much to evaluate a season when the three biggest tournaments have yet to be played, no ?
Nadal won the biggest titles last year, no ? Djoker has yet to win one of them, no ?
Even if Djoker wins the calendar slam, I’d only say it’s the greatest season, no ? To be among the greatest players you have to put up the results over a period of years, no ?
Michael · May 21, 2011 at 2:53 am
PS, I think they did more than scoff at Galilleo. I think they jailed him. I don’t think anyone scoffed at Columbus. They financed him which is a strange form of scoffing.
Dan markowitz · May 21, 2011 at 9:41 am
The question is then: is it more impressive to be the GOAT or for one season play the greatest tennis ever played? If that one season is to win a Grand Slam I’d say I’d go with the latter.What’s the greatest single record in sports? Probably DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak and that was over one season. So let’s see if Djoko can martch and exceed Joe D and have the greatest tennis season ever. It’s a tall order, but he’s been unimaginably great for the first 5 months.
Eric · May 21, 2011 at 8:13 pm
I’m going for Nadal at the French Open. I think he’ll pull something out of the bag and Novak has a tougher draw.
You’re really over-hyping Djokovic- I don’t see the same effortless genius that prime Federer displayed in his game.
I’d give the Serb 8 slams if I had to bet on it.
Michael · May 21, 2011 at 8:30 pm
Good question.
I’d love to see him come into NY with 3 Majors in hand. Might finally get tennis on the front page of the US sports section.
Scoop Malinowski · May 22, 2011 at 1:25 pm
Tough question. Nadal’s season winning three majors on three surfaces and the Olympics was up there as some of the greatest tennis ever played. But what Djokovic is doing right now is knocking at the door. Greatest single record in sports? How about Joe Louis making 20 consecutive world HWT title defenses? 56-game hitting streak I think is an overrated record.
Scoop Malinowski · May 22, 2011 at 1:28 pm
Eric Welcome to the site. It’s hard t o pick against Nadal in Paris but if it comes down to a final with Djokovic, who do you think has the mental edge? Nadal has lost four straight finals to Djokovic. That’s well on it’s way to the famous Borg-Gerulaitis pigeon situation.
Scoop Malinowski · May 22, 2011 at 1:29 pm
Good point, that would really put tennis into the mainstream in a big way and it would be something Federer and Nadal, for all their greatness, were never able to do or come close to doing. Media coverage like that would be massive for the sport.
Michael · May 23, 2011 at 3:33 am
“That’s well on it’s way to the famous Borg-Gerulaitis pigeon situation.”
Not the same animal. Vitas simply was never in the class of Connors, Borg or Jmac.
Nadal has a far more impressive career to date than Djoker. That Djoker has his number for a stretch doesn’t make Nadal his pigeon. Nadal and Djoker are rivals and Vitas was never Borg’s rival.
Scoop Malinowski · May 23, 2011 at 12:51 pm
Michael; Federer before and after his first Wimbledon was a completely different animal, just like Djokovic before and after winning the Davis Cup has become a much more efficient and effective tennis machine. Don’t know about you but I can see Djokovic dominating Fed and Nadal for a long time to come, this may only be the beginning of it.