"Think I'm the best" - Novak Djokovic and the insatiable hunger for success
Novak Djokovic set another milestone on his way to becoming the best tennis player of all time at Wimbledon 2021. But the Serb is by no means thinking of an end.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Jul 11, 2021, 09:55 pm
It sounded like a threat that the outstanding, well-deserved and shining champion of Wimbledon 2021, Novak Djokovic, sent towards the competition a few minutes after winning the title: "The past ten years have been an unbelievable journey that doesn't stop there." No, because although the Serb is now level with his toughest rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in terms of Grand Slam titles, the world's number one is far from hungry for success.
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And it is these two competitors who spur the world number one to these achievements, as Djokovic explained in the course of the award ceremony: "They are legends of our sport," emphasized the man from Belgrade. "You're the reason I'm at this point in the first place." In this season alone, Djokovic has drawn level with the two older representatives of the "Big Three" by three major titles behind the Spaniard and the Swiss.
Grand Slam calendar possible
This also means that the 34-year-old could win the so-called Calendar Grand Slam this game year. For the first time in over 50 years. The Australian Rod Laver last achieved this feat in 1969. Of course, the Serb is also fully aware of this: "I'll try. I'm in great shape." Another - much more difficult record - would take significantly more time - namely to occupy the number 1 position in the world rankings for most of the weeks in a row. Roger Federer currently has this for 237 weeks at a time.
Djokovic already achieved most weeks as number one in total at the beginning of this year, when the Serb overtook his Swiss arch-rival. Accordingly, the 34-year-old now clearly sees the question of who is the best player of all time: "I think that I am the best and I see myself as the best. But whether I am the best of all time now, I let others decide It is difficult to compare eras. The conditions are completely different from 50 years ago, "said Djokovic after his Wimbledon triumph.
Federer congratulates
Meanwhile, Djokovic has also received congratulations from the competition. Roger Federer, for example, reported his congratulations on Twitter. "I am proud to be able to play in this special era of tennis champions. A wonderful achievement, well done," said Federer. "Congratulations, Novak, on your 20th major." The Swiss had surprisingly failed in the quarter-finals against Hubert Hurkacz this year.
Despite his seemingly endless winning streak on an international level, Novak Djokovic is and remains a native and traditional person. The Serb celebrated his 20th triumph at Grand Slam level first with his long-time coaching team - and then remembered his roots in the winning streak. "A seven-year-old boy in Serbia once built a Wimbledon trophy with improvised materials. And now he's here with his sixth title."