Mark Dadswell/Getty Images
Novak Djokovic stormed onto the scene when he won the 2008 Australian Open. Many people thought that would open a floodgate of major titles for the young Serb.
Surprisingly, Djokovic hit what some would call a slump. He continued to make deep runs in big tournaments but couldn't break through on the big stage. Everything would be fine until he ran into a top opponent. He would squander chances left and right, never seeming to play at his best.
In the semifinals of the 2010 US Open, Djokovic gutted out a hard-fought, five-set victory over Roger Federer. This may be looked back at as the defining moment of Djokovic's career.
He had only beaten Federer in a Grand Slam once before, and that was in the 2008 Australian Open. Since that win, Federer had owned him on the big stage.
If Djokovic lost the US Open match to Federer, this would be a completely different story. With the win, Djokovic collected the confidence of a champion-to-be.
That brings me to this: What are seven things that imply Djokovic has crossed the line from really good to great?
The Serve Is Back
Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Surprisingly, Djokovic hit what some would call a slump. He continued to make deep runs in big tournaments but couldn't break through on the big stage. Everything would be fine until he ran into a top opponent. He would squander chances left and right, never seeming to play at his best.
In the semifinals of the 2010 US Open, Djokovic gutted out a hard-fought, five-set victory over Roger Federer. This may be looked back at as the defining moment of Djokovic's career.
He had only beaten Federer in a Grand Slam once before, and that was in the 2008 Australian Open. Since that win, Federer had owned him on the big stage.
If Djokovic lost the US Open match to Federer, this would be a completely different story. With the win, Djokovic collected the confidence of a champion-to-be.
That brings me to this: What are seven things that imply Djokovic has crossed the line from really good to great?
The Serve Is Back
Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Like almost any tennis player in the world, Novak's game can't excel without a reliable first serve.
In his "slump," Djokovic struggled to make anything happen with his serve. The cold stroke cost him confidence on his usually razor-sharp groundstrokes, and he was a beatable opponent.
Djokovic is one of the toughest players on tour to beat when his serve is working because he learned to win without one. When it's on, it's another weapon in his arsenal that he uses to constantly assault his opponent.
When Djokovic's serve is hitting its spots, he's going to make any player come up with something great to come out on top—it's that simple.
Top-Notch Conditioning
Mark Dadswell/Getty Images
In his "slump," Djokovic struggled to make anything happen with his serve. The cold stroke cost him confidence on his usually razor-sharp groundstrokes, and he was a beatable opponent.
Djokovic is one of the toughest players on tour to beat when his serve is working because he learned to win without one. When it's on, it's another weapon in his arsenal that he uses to constantly assault his opponent.
When Djokovic's serve is hitting its spots, he's going to make any player come up with something great to come out on top—it's that simple.
Top-Notch Conditioning
Mark Dadswell/Getty Images
From time to time, Djokovic will find himself moving back and relying on his defensive skill. Although that's not a smart strategy in today's game, Djokovic could employ it because of his impeccable defensive skills.
The problem with the strategy is that it would gas Novak by the end of matches. Conditioning was a huge issue for Djokovic in Australia. If temperatures rose, he would overheat and had a hard time finishing matches.
His breathing became a serious concern.
Coming into 2011, Djokovic must have worked to correct the problem and has looked great in all of his matches thus far this year. To make the next step, Djokovic knew he had to address the issue.
Looks like whatever he did is paying off.
Going For It
Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
The problem with the strategy is that it would gas Novak by the end of matches. Conditioning was a huge issue for Djokovic in Australia. If temperatures rose, he would overheat and had a hard time finishing matches.
His breathing became a serious concern.
Coming into 2011, Djokovic must have worked to correct the problem and has looked great in all of his matches thus far this year. To make the next step, Djokovic knew he had to address the issue.
Looks like whatever he did is paying off.
Going For It
Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
Novak broke into the national spotlight by going for his shots. As I touched on in the last slide, he loses sight of that sometimes.
When Djokovic is tight to the baseline from the beginning of the point to the end, he's at his finest. He has the ability to create offensive firepower off almost any shot thanks to incredible timing.
Djokovic gets into trouble when he starts tossing in drop shots and dropping a couple feet behind the baseline. When he's doing these things, he's at the will of his opponent. Players like Federer and Rafael Nadal will have a field day when Djokovic falls into this style.
If Novak sticks to the game plan, it's hard for other players to get into a rhythm against him.
Unblemished Record in 2011
Julian Finney/Getty Images
When Djokovic is tight to the baseline from the beginning of the point to the end, he's at his finest. He has the ability to create offensive firepower off almost any shot thanks to incredible timing.
Djokovic gets into trouble when he starts tossing in drop shots and dropping a couple feet behind the baseline. When he's doing these things, he's at the will of his opponent. Players like Federer and Rafael Nadal will have a field day when Djokovic falls into this style.
If Novak sticks to the game plan, it's hard for other players to get into a rhythm against him.
Unblemished Record in 2011
Julian Finney/Getty Images
Novak hasn't lost a match since the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.
After helping his country to the Davis Cup title, he has continued to roll in 2011. Djokovic currently boasts a 14-match winning streak and two titles to go with it.
With nearly triple as many wins as losses in his career, Novak is no stranger to winning. The tricky part is winning consecutive matches and tournaments. With the streak, Djokovic has moved to within 100 points of Federer in the rankings.
Another tournament title would almost assure a second stint at No. 2 in the world for the 23-year-old.
Owning Federer
Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
After helping his country to the Davis Cup title, he has continued to roll in 2011. Djokovic currently boasts a 14-match winning streak and two titles to go with it.
With nearly triple as many wins as losses in his career, Novak is no stranger to winning. The tricky part is winning consecutive matches and tournaments. With the streak, Djokovic has moved to within 100 points of Federer in the rankings.
Another tournament title would almost assure a second stint at No. 2 in the world for the 23-year-old.
Owning Federer
Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
Rarely in the past decade has anyone beaten Roger Federer in straight sets. Novak Djokovic has done it twice in the last month.
When he's at his best, Novak can really take it to one of tennis' best of all time. Djokovic takes time away from Federer and pounds the ball to Fed's backhand.
In their last match, Djokovic claimed the Dubai title when he defeated Federer 6-3, 6-3.
This type of scoreline is unheard for someone opposing Roger in a tournament final. Federer usually saves his best tennis for the end of a tournament, and if he makes a final, he regularly comes out on top.
Federer is 67-29 in finals after the loss to Djokovic.
If Djokovic posts a win over Federer in the French Open, the press will hound Federer, questioning his ability to continue his greatness.
Winning Convincingly
Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
When he's at his best, Novak can really take it to one of tennis' best of all time. Djokovic takes time away from Federer and pounds the ball to Fed's backhand.
In their last match, Djokovic claimed the Dubai title when he defeated Federer 6-3, 6-3.
This type of scoreline is unheard for someone opposing Roger in a tournament final. Federer usually saves his best tennis for the end of a tournament, and if he makes a final, he regularly comes out on top.
Federer is 67-29 in finals after the loss to Djokovic.
If Djokovic posts a win over Federer in the French Open, the press will hound Federer, questioning his ability to continue his greatness.
Winning Convincingly
Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
The good: In 2011, Djokovic has a 5-0 record against top 10 players.
The best: In these five victories, Djokovic has won 13 sets. He has only dropped one.
The set that he lost was in a tiebreaker. Other than that, Novak has come out on top in every other set against top-tier competition. The match against Tomas Berdych where he lost a set was admittedly a terrible performance by Djokovic.
He would rebound to win the next set and eventually the match after Berdych retired. Next, he dismissed Federer in impressive fashion.
This is the most focused Djokovic has ever been. We'll see how long that confidence and swagger will carry on.
A Top Contender
Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
The best: In these five victories, Djokovic has won 13 sets. He has only dropped one.
The set that he lost was in a tiebreaker. Other than that, Novak has come out on top in every other set against top-tier competition. The match against Tomas Berdych where he lost a set was admittedly a terrible performance by Djokovic.
He would rebound to win the next set and eventually the match after Berdych retired. Next, he dismissed Federer in impressive fashion.
This is the most focused Djokovic has ever been. We'll see how long that confidence and swagger will carry on.
A Top Contender
Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
0 comments:
Post a Comment