Novak Djokovic - from third force to best player of all time?
After his triumph at the French Open,Novak Djokovic is only one step away from setting the Grand Slam record. But there is already a lot to suggest that the Serb will go down in the annals as the best player of all time.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Jun 15, 2021, 05:54 pm
June 2, 2010. Court Suzanne-Lenglen. A return from Novak Djokovic flies out. Jürgen Melzer pulls his arms up. The Austrian is in the semi-finals of the French Open. 3: 6, 2: 6, 6: 2, 7: 6 (4) and 6: 4 are the bare numbers of this tennis madness. But the story is far from over.
Because this encounter can confidently be described as one of the turning points in the long history of tennis. "After this match I took the pressure off myself and started to play more aggressively. That was the turnaround for me," said Djokovic, looking back on one of the bitterest bankruptcies of his career.
Up to this point, the phalanx of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal seemed unbreakable, the two exceptional talents dominated the sport almost at will. After the US Open 2010, Federer held 16 Grand Slam titles, while Nadal, who was four years younger, held nine. Djokovic? He couldn't get past and so far had only enjoyed a major triumph at the Australian Open 2008.
Djokovic makes history in Paris
But from 2011 onwards the Serb should experience enough how sweet victories at the four biggest tournaments in the world can taste. The now 34-year-old scored no less than 18 other major titles in Australia, France, England and the USA, Djokovic succeeded in his latest trick last Sunday in Paris.
With the win at Stade Roland Garros, Djokovic also achieved something that no player had ever achieved in the Open Era: he won at least twice the title in every Grand Slam event. This is another piece of the puzzle in the hodgepodge of seemingly endless successes of the Serb, which is already one of the best players of all time.
#VIDEO#
But Djokovic is not satisfied with that. He doesn't want to be one, but the best player of all time. As a next big goal, the industry leader called the Grand Slam record of 20 titles held by Nadal and Federer: "I still haven't got there. Rafa and Roger are still playing great, but it has never been impossible for me felt like catching up. I'll keep chasing the record, but sticking to my path. "
It should only be a matter of time before Djokovic also reaches this milestone. The arguments as to who is the much sought-after "Greatest of all time" are already largely on the side of the 34-year-old: Djokovic won all nine ATP Masters 1000 in his career in addition to the four Grand Slam tournaments -Events and was also the longest at the top of the world rankings.
Djokovic is chasing the Golden Slam
Even the numerous critics of the man from Belgrade have to admit without envy that Djokovic is by far the best player in recent years - and an end to this dominance is far from in sight. The 34-year-old looks fit like never before and while Nadal and Federer are slowly but surely gnawing at the ravages of time, the following generations have still not been able to close the gap, especially at the Grand Slam events.
For this reason, Djokovic is now even aiming for the Golden Slam - winning all four major tournaments as well as the Olympic gold medal. "I've achieved some things that many people thought would not be possible for me. Anything is possible and I've put myself in a good position to win the Golden Slam," said the world number one after triumphing in Paris.
The grass classic at Wimbledon is already in two weeks for Djokovic. "I have no problem saying that I am aiming for the title at Wimbledon. Of course I do," the 34-year-old does not want to evade the role of favorite. It is the first opportunity for Djokovic to catch up with Nadal and Federer - and to collect further arguments for going down in history as the best player of all time.
rgmap