Why Novak Djokovic? Why not Rafael Nadal? He seems like a better contender to take the tennis throne, right?
But once in a while we all have to face the truth. As much as I want Rafael Nadal (being a Nadal fan) to become the greatest ever, I know he is not going to make it. But Djokovic can. It is a far shot, but the conditions seem perfect –
1. Roger is 34 and old with two sets of twins
Even geniuses have their limits, especially in the world of sports. 34 is the age you basically are playing doubles and thinking what you are going to do when you leave the sport.
Roger has survived due to sheer brilliance and hard work. He also had unflinching focus.
But the focus wavers when you have two sets of kids. That’s 4 kids right there. You have to put in time as a father to nurture them, and evidently, it has affected Roger – although due to his natural brilliance – not so much. He still makes it to the semis and finals comfortably.
But can he win like the old times? Maybe not.
2. Rafael Nadal is done for
Two shot knees throughout his career and a punishing style of play. The body can take only so much even if the mind is raring to go. But now even his confidence has wavered and for the first time in his career he has gone on to appeal to his fans not to expect him to win.
He was always humble, but never less of confidence. Maybe he is finally broken at the age of 29. His last stand will be Roland Garros 2016. If he makes it there – we might see more, but if he loses there, I am sorry to say but that will be the final nail in his career.
3. Murray seems distracted and not really in shape
He has a kid too. Plus he has opened a hotel, and got married and got injured. The injury was bad and he never looked in the previous shape. After recovery, he looks like a shadow of his former self.
When Roger and Rafa were on their downhill trajectories, I always thought Murray will capitalize with Djokovic. After all, he always has given Novak a run for his titles.
They always have had fierce matches. But it looks like Murray is done too.
4. Without the big three, Novak has a free reign
Nadal, Federer, Djokovic and Murray together were called the Big Four. There was a reason for calling them that. They ruled the world of tennis for a better part of 10 years. No one even came close to getting a membership in this elite club.
Then there was only one. Right now, it seems like only Djokovic is playing at his top level. That means he is the Big One. The playing field has never been more skewered for Djokovic.
5. Wawrinka, Tsonga, and Ferrer are just not good enough
Oh, they are good no questions. Wawrinka has already won two Grand Slams already. Tsonga has been to numerous semi-finals and so has David Ferrer. But they have, time and again, fallen to the Big Four, even when the Big Four are not at their peak.
They will always be the challengers and not really the dominant champions.
6. There is no wonderkid in sight
Rafael Nadal won his first French open when he was just 19, and Djokovic had reached semi-finals of all the Grand Slams when he was just 18. Roger Federer had won his first Wimbledon when he was 21, and Murray was in the US Open finals before he turned 20.
We do not see this kind of early blossoms anymore. There was one – Juan Martin Del Potro, but he succumbed to injuries early on. Then there is Grigor Dimitrov, who was touted as the next Federer, but then fizzled out from the scene.
And no one is in sight.
7. Djokovic has chosen the perfect timing to peak
Until 3 years ago it was all Federer and Nadal. Djokovic would cause the occasional hiccup and then when he lost he patiently licked his wounds and waited.
His consistency has been his greatest strength. The rest have had their lows, but Djokovic has always played like he played.
And now he seems to be really pushing the envelope and he couldn’t have chosen a better timing to come out all guns firing.
8. And he is incredibly determined.
He has always been hungry. We can see that in his match-winning celebrations. Eating grass, thumping his chest and tearing off his t-shirt has always entertained the audience.
When Federer won, he always celebrated with smiles – the kind you knew you are going to – because you deserve it. You are so talented.
When Nadal won – he celebrated with a sombre mood – always looking to his uncle in gratitude. He looked happy that he survived another gruelling day on the battlefield.
When Murray won – it was a look of relief. “The first Briton to win in 67 years!”. Thank god for the title, he satisfied the expectations of a whole nation.
Djokovic always celebrated with a roar. You could almost see the fireworks in his eyes. He has always roared and shouted before thanking the crowd. He knows he has snatched the trophy from another player giving his best. And he loves this feeling.
He has a good 3-4 years and 4-5 Slams in him if he is healthy.
If he does that – he may surpass Federer and Nadal for the tag of “The Greatest Ever”.
Looking at how it is unfurling – he probably will.
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