What to expect from Novak Djokovic in 2011?

World number three Novak Djokovic is one strongest nominee, expected to break the Rafa-Roger major supremacy next year on the ATP tour. 2011 will definitely be an important season for the Serbian who will also look to reach the pinnacle of rankings in the world.

Next month, the years opening Grand Slam; the Australian Open will mark three seasons since the Monte Carlo resident captured his only major crown, after posting a win over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the finals. After that success, the right hander couldn’t continue his form for the rest of the season as he hardly reached the semi-final round in any event.

The 1.88 meter tall Djokovic, who made his debut on the ATP tour back in 2003, achieved his career high ranking of number two back in February this season. He finished the year at number three on the fourth occasion in a row which is a big achievement for most players, however the Serbian will without any question be eager to end the 2011 season inside the top two for the first time in his career.

While major success would definitely help strengthen Novak’s spot at the top of the game, he will also hope to play better in the ATP World Tour competitions.

The professional tennis ace from Serbia, who won a bronze medal at the Olympic Games back in 2008, picked up just a total of two ATP World Tour crowns this season at Dubai and Beijing which also marked his lowest tally since 2006. World number one Rafael Nadal, on the other hand, won seven trophies in 2010, including three Grand Slams at the French Open, Wimbledon and the United States Open in New York.

The Swiss tennis maestro, Roger Federer, who started the season on a high with an Australian Open title, had a rough patch during the middle, ended the 2010 year with his career fifth Barclays ATP World Tour crown in London, beating Rafael Nadal in the finals.

The 23-year-old Djokovic, on the other hand, particularly underperformed in the nine ATP World Tour Masters 1000 competitions, as he just advanced into the semi-finals in Monte-Carlo, Toronto and Shanghai.

His most notable match victory in 2010 came during the semi-final round of the year’s final Grand Slam, the United States Open in New York where he played a high level of tennis to beat Roger Federer. The Serbian prevented two match points to end the Basel native’s tournament campaign and thus sealed a win in the end. In the title battle though, Djokovic was toppled at the hands of Rafael Nadal.

The Belgrade born then went on to have a very successful finish to the year, leading his country to a 3-2 win against France in the final of the Davis Cup on his home soil.

While disappointed after his loss at the Flushing Meadows, Novak said, “I am feeling bad about my loss. I wanted that trophy, and I know I gave my maximum to get it even tonight. But when I sleep over the night, tomorrow I will wake up as a new man. I will continue to work hard and wait for the next chance to come.”

Despite his final loss, the Serbian however, was satisfied with his overall game and is hopeful to reach the top of the world’s ranking soon on the tour.

“I feel much more comfortable on the court, more confident and getting this aggressive game back - the game that I need to have in order to stay at the top - and a game that has been a part of me always. It is a good sign. I will continue on working, as I said, and hope that I can keep that performance,” he said.

Therefore, he is definitely expected to break the Roger-Federer Grand Slam dominance in 2011, provided he keeps on improving his game and performs consistently on the tour.

Courtesy: Bettor