Novak Djokovic - undefeated on a record course
With his final victory over Milos Raonic at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Cincinnati / New York, Novak Djokovic completed his second “Golden Masters”. And caught up with Rafael Nadal .
by Jens Huiber
last edit:
Aug 30, 2020, 09:55 am
Apparently, Novak Djokovic does not even find opponents who can stand up to him while playing cards these days. He was the best coach on the tour, Djokovic announced after his final victory against Milos Raonic in the direction of Goran Ivanisevic, but when it comes to "Uno", the Wimbledon winner from 2001 does not even appear in the extended world elite. So one can be relaxed about someone who, with his 35th success in an ATP Masters 1000 tournament, caught up with Rafael Nadal, who is the leader in this category. And who has now decided each of the nine 1000s for himself at least twice.
Djokovic has played 23 games this year, once he was very close to a defeat (in Dubai against Gael Monfils ), once he shouldn't have complained (in the semifinals in Cincinnati / New York against Roberto Bautista Agut), spun several times the industry leader matches in which things did not go smoothly (such as in the final of the Australian Open against Dominic Thiem or on Saturday against Raonic).
Djokovic with unwavering confidence
"I try to get the most out of my career, to use this time when I am physically, mentally, emotionally and playfully at my peak and play one of the best tennis," said Djokovic. The fact that he is still unbeaten this year gives him additional self-confidence.
The draw for the US Open is initially not likely to believe that this series will be canceled. Damir Dzumhur, against whom Djokovic plays his first-round match in the night from Monday to Tuesday (from 1 a.m. live on TV and live stream on Eurosport), would have little to report against the number one in the world even in full power. But after the Bosnian was repeatedly plagued by injuries, it should be easy for "Nole" to sweat.
In Rome against Nadal for the lead
In terms of sport, things are going so well that Djokovic can also take care of sports policy. With the founding of the Professional Tennis Player Association, the 33-year-old tackled a project that brought him a lot of headwind. Once again. The Adria tour, started with good intentions, also ended in a (not just PR) debacle. Even if Djokovic, as he emphasized a few days ago, would basically do everything exactly the same again.
Now it's about Grand Slam title number 18. Rafael Nadal is 19, Roger Federer has one more, Djokovic's biggest opponent is missing in New York City. The sole guided tour in the Masters 1000 category is already up for grabs in two weeks: the traditional event is planned in Rome immediately after the end of the US Open. Last year's finalists: Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.