Djokovic accelerates in the historic race

In an atypical 2021 for tennis due to the absence for many months of two of the best players in history, Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer, which has caused the envisioned generational change to manifest itself with greater clarity, Novak Djokovic has kept the Big Three flag and his own very high. He has done so by starring in a brilliant season, one of the best of his career. At 34, the Serbian has accelerated in the race for historic supremacy with three Grand Slam titles, thanks to which he is placed with 20, at the height of the Spanish and the Swiss at the top of the table. He also won his 37th Masters 1,000, an absolute record above Nadal’s 36. And for the seventh time he finished the course as number one in the world, something that no one had achieved, and he leaves behind the six times his idol Pete Sampras did. In addition, he accumulates 351 weeks on the throne after surpassing Federer’s 310 throughout the course.

For that, and for an impressive track record that deserves to be recognized, AS awards him one of its top awards. His legendary rivalry with Nadal (it is the most repeated duel in the history of tennis with 58 episodes) makes him a special athlete for Spain, because his greatness has contributed to increasing that of the Balearic and vice versa.

“I am excited to walk the path of legends and giants of this sport”says Djokovic, who never hides his desire to transcend. “Knowing that I have earned a place among them by following my childhood dream is a beautiful confirmation that when you do things out of love and passion, anything is possible”I reflect on a campaign culminating with a 55-7 record, five titles (Australia, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, Belgrade 2 and Paris-Bercy) and runner-up spots at the US Open and Rome.

The first half of the year was simply impressive of him. He lifted his ninth trophy in the Melbourne major, beating Medvedev in the final. “There is much talk that the new generations are going to get rid of the three of us. With my respect to all those guys, they still have a lot of work to do. I’m not going to give myself up. I’ll make them move their ass “He said just after winning.

Decisive point

After losing in the Foro Italico against Nadal, he faced Roland Garros with the question of whether he would be able to overcome the owner of the tournament, the Spaniard, winner 13 times. And he did it in the semifinals. “When I beat Rafa I thought: ‘Okay, I’ve already finished the tournament'”, acknowledged, but did not relax and came back from a very adverse score (0-2) against Tsitsipas to reap his second championship there and, therefore, win more than once in each of the Slams. Wimbledon, without his great rival, presented himself as a great opportunity for him to equal the majors record and he did not waste it. Matteo Berrettini beat a hit in the last match. “I must pay a great tribute to Rafa and Roger because they are the two tennis players who have demanded the most of me. They are the reason I’m here. They have made me improve physically, mentally and technically. I have played the best games of my career against them. The last few years have been incredible for me since I really got into the fight for the Grand Slams in 2011, but this won’t stop there. “He stated in London, with his mind set on achieving a historic Golden Slam, which consists of winning the four great tournaments and Olympic gold.

Inflection

He had questioned his participation in the Tokyo event, but he was so close to glory that he could not resist trying. And that’s when the worst part of the campaign began for him. At the Games, physically and, above all, mentally tired, He was one step away from the final because of who would ultimately be champion, Alexander Zverev, and to top it off Pablo Carreño took away the bronze. He was not fine to throw a racket into the stands and break another, with that fury that often drives him but is also the blur of his behavior that causes that year after year, perhaps unfairly due to his exquisite behavior with his teammates inside and outside off the track, the ATP did not nominate him for the sportiest tennis player of the year award. “It is something that happens in battle, it is not right. But I am like that and I apologize for the message it transmits. We are all human beings. Sometimes it is difficult to control ourselves”, He assumed after admitting that those defeats hurt him. “I am exhausted, but I do not regret at all having come. I believe that there are no coincidences in life and that everything happens for something. Defeats have made me stronger in all aspects”.

He had the option of winning all four Slams in one year and he went for it in New York. But he was crossed by an excellent Medvedev, better prepared after the Melbourne experience. “I beg your pardon, we all knew what Nole aspired to”exclaimed the Russian at Arthur Ashe. It was a tough stick for Djokovic, who walked away for a while. He needed to rest and did not play again until Paris-Bercy. There he took revenge on Medvedev and surpassed, by the way, Nadal’s 36 Masters 1,000 titles. He seemed fit to shine again at the ATP Finals, which moved to Turin, Italian soil where he feels very comfortable because part of his team is from there. Again he was stopped by Zverev, later winner, in the semifinals. The last bullet of 2021 was saved for the Davis Cup, but it is difficult for a single man to win the Salad Bowl without a good pair of doubles. The Balkan won all four of his singles matches before Croatia put him one step away from the final with the fearsome Mektic-Pavic duo.

It was time to take stock. “I do not regret any tournament I played after Wimbledon. I do my best for my country. It has extra meaning and importance for me, for everyone involved. I do not regret anything in life. I try to draw lessons, especially from difficult times. As much as it hurts me personally and as a team, these are the greatest opportunities to strengthen, grow and develop, to be a better person and a better player “. His participation in the Australian Open was unknown, although he is registered with Serbia in the ATP Cup and also in the first Grand Slam of the year. “I’m going to try to use the next few days to recover and forget about tennis. I am very tired of this season and this year. I need quality family time, in rehab mode. When I make a decision, you will know “. Everyone will be attentive.