Novak Djokovic - On the way to becoming the best ever
After his epic triumph at Wimbledon, Novak Djokovic is preparing to become the best tennis player ever.
by Jörg Allmeroth
last edit: Jul 15, 2019, 12:24 pm
Novak Djokovic had been walking through the studios of the Wimbledon International TV Center for two hours, when at the end of his marathon tour he was asked the question again. Will you, the champion of all classes, the number one in the world, the current champion of Wimbledon, the US Open and the Australian Open, one day love and revere like your opponent Roger Federer? Djokovic looked pensive and thoughtful for a moment, thinking carefully about what to say or what to say. Then he said something officially: "I would generally be respectful."
Probably more respect than on July 14, 2019, on what is probably his biggest tennis day ever. The day he knocked down the crowd favorite, old master Roger Federer, in five sets and five hours, in the longest and one of the largest Wimbledon finals in history. Djokovic did not just fight against the man on the other side of the net, but against an entire stadium, felt or actually against the majority of the large, wide tennis world. "Novak clearly deserves more acceptance," said Boris Becker, once the chief instructor of the 32-year-old Serb, "the way he was treated today is not entirely okay. He is also a great, an outstanding champion, just like Federer or Nadal. ”
Djokovic wants to be the best ever
Djokovic, this escape artist from a troubled position, is even about to overtake the two older titans. He makes no secret of the fact that this is exactly his goal - to become the best ever, to rewrite history at the expense of Federer and Nadal. To put yourself at the top. "Why not? That should be the motivation of every player, "said ex-superstar John McEnroe," I am delighted that he has expressed his ambition so clearly. "Already on Center Court, a few minutes after the Hitchcock finish in the first Wimbledon tie-break at decisive fifth sentence, the old and new title hero of the lawn festival had formulated his claim to power, albeit in an elegant wrapping. Seeing Federer play in this class on Center Court at the age of 37 is an "inspiration", says Djokovic, "which spurs me on to want more."
Now he's the party fright for the others.
Boris Becker about Novak Djokovic
In fact, Djokovic is the sportiest player of the past decade. Since his first parade year in 2011, he has been at the top of the world rankings for 260 weeks, all other players together only got 160 weeks. Djokovic won 15 of the last 35 Grand Slam tournaments, clay court hero Nadal nine - and Federer four. Against the two other extraordinary gentlemen from the elite area, Federer and Nadal, he has a positive match record - in the combination of Grand Slams, Masters tournaments and World Cup finals, Djokovic is now on par with Federer with 57 titles. But it took almost 50 fewer tournaments to reach these heights. “Novak joined the big party late, the party of Federer and Nadal. But now he's the party fright for the others, ”said Becker,“ and he'll stay that way. ”With his 16 Grand Slam titles, he's already within striking distance of Federer (20) and Nadal (18).
Federer used to be the master of big points. In his heyday, he worn down his rivals with coolness and irritating naturalness, always being wide awake and gripping when it really mattered. In Djokovic, however, the maestro has now found his master, the final drama on Sunday impressively illustrated it - Federer was actually the better player, he led almost all the statistics, made more points, hit more aces. But in three tie breaks he lost the game, Federer made eleven easy mistakes in those moments, Djokovic not one. And that on a center court, on which Djokovic alluded to Federer and another 15,000 Federers, according to the feeling of the former Australian champion Pat Cash. "It was a" monster achievement "by Djokovic, according to Cash," to put it away again and again . Others would have collapsed in such an atmosphere. "
Djokovic, the perfectionist
But not Djokovic. He even erased Federer's match balls, at 7: 8 and 15:40 in the fifth set, in extra time when both of them tumbled like boxers in a World Championship heavyweight fight - aiming to give the other the final decisive blow. Djokovic had seemed like an "icebox" to him, "said England's former ace Tim Henman," I do not know how he found this control, this concentration, this sovereignty. "Perhaps it was also the composure of Djokovic that Federer meant when he said during the victory ceremony towards his conqueror: "That was crazy, man."
Djokovic is a perfectionist who leaves nothing to chance in his career. Grand slam appearances are always sacred missions for him, he travels with a large staff, with his own cook, with several trainers, with a fitness coach. But in the end it's all about himself, the Djoker and his emotional state. Djokovic said that he had prepared intensively for this final, apart from fore and backhand, serve or volley, “I always imagined what would happen out there. Also, how I win, hold up the trophy. ”Visualization is the magic word for the 32-year-old tennis capitano, a source of strength from a constant self-summoning. The match against Federer was mentally "the hardest ever," said Djokovic, "it was a constant struggle with myself." But Djokovic also won this fight, perhaps inspired by a special perception: "As the people outside, Roger called, I heard Novak ”. His audience in the press room laughed at that moment, but Djokovic insisted: "That's exactly how it was."