Novak Djokovic: The True-Blue GOAT of Tennis
US Open, September 2011. The air is electric, the crowd’s anticipation palpable. Djokovic in Wimbledon prowess still fresh in memories, it’s once again tennis titan Roger Federer against the rising star Novak Djokovic. Both are keen for a face-off with Rafael Nadal, who’s waiting in the wings.
At 5-3, 40-15, it seems Federer’s about to get his wish. The crowd is wild with excitement. But Djokovic isn’t fazed. He steps up to the plate, Federer serves at 108 mph, and then…wham! Djokovic returned with an extraordinary forehand winner, leaving Federer off-balance and the spectators in shock. Tennis legend John McEnroe described it as “one of the all-time great shots”.
And that’s just the beginning of the Novak Djokovic story, the truer-than-true G.O.A.T. of tennis.
The Djokovic Dominance
Djokovic’s first big win came in 2008 at the Australian Open, where he defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. He has since made tennis history, with records in each of the four major tournaments: 10 wins in Australia, three in France, three in the US, and seven in Wimbledon.
Moreover, he is the only man to win all four majors at least three times. The cherry on top? He achieved this in both his 20s and 30s, a feat no other male player in the Open Era has managed, except Rod Laver.
The year 2011 was Djokovic’s year. After being in only three major finals in six years, he turned the tables by scooping up three out of four grand slams, with Federer halting him only at the French Open semifinals. Since then, Djokovic has been a powerhouse on the court, securing a record 23 major singles titles, more than any man in the Open Era.
Djokovic’s latest win was at the French Open, where he outplayed Casper Ruud to bag his 23rd singles title at the four majors – the Australian Open, Wimbledon, US Open, and Roland-Garros. This tally is unparalleled among male players, leaving rivals Nadal and Federer in the rearview with 22 and 20 titles respectively. Even the retired legend Pete Sampras, with 14 major titles, doesn’t come close.
The Quest for the Grand Slam
Despite his impressive list of accomplishments, one goal remains elusive for Djokovic – the calendar Grand Slam, where all four majors are won in a single year. The last person to achieve this was Laver, back in 1969. Djokovic came tantalizingly close in 2021, winning in Australia, Paris, and Wimbledon, before falling to Daniil Medvedev in New York. Could 2023 be the year?
2023 MEN’S WIMBLEDON ODDS
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Novak Djokovic | -188 |
| Carlos Alcaraz | +240 |
| Daniil Medvedev | +1400 |
| Jannik Sinner | +1600 |
| Taylor Fritz | +3300 |
| Alexander Zverev | +3300 |
| Andy Murray | +4000 |
| Andrey Rublev | +5000 |
| Holger Rune | +5000 |
| Stefanos Tsitsipas | +5000 |
| Alexander Bublik | +6600 |
| Alex De Minaur | +6600 |
| Hubert Hurkacz | +6600 |
| Frances Tiafoe | +6600 |
| Cameron Norrie | +6600 |
| Casper Ruud | +8000 |
| Grigor Dimitrov | +8000 |
| Denis Shapovalov | +10000 |
| Matteo Berrettini | +12500 |
| Tommy Paul | +15000 |
| Marton Fucsovics | +20000 |
| David Goffin | +20000 |
| Nicolas Jarry | +20000 |
| Ben Shelton | +25000 |
| Francisco Cerundolo | +30000 |
| Lorenzo Musetti | +30000 |
| Christopher O’Connell | +35000 |
| Lorenzo Sonego | +35000 |
| J.J. Wolf | +40000 |
| Alejandro Davidovich Fokina | +40000 |
| Botic Van De Zandshulp | +40000 |
| Adrian Mannarino | +45000 |
| Milos Raonic | +45000 |
| Stan Wawrinka | +45000 |
Clash of the Titans: Djokovic, Federer, Nadal
We’ve been treated to the sensational skill-show of three legendary players, namely Djokovic, Federer, and Nadal. They are universally considered the best in the business. Let’s take a closer look at how they stack up against each other, with Djokovic currently leading the pack.
| Player A | Wins | Player B |
|---|---|---|
| Novak Djokovic | 30-29 | Rafael Nadal |
| Novak Djokovic | 27-23 | Roger Federer |
| Rafael Nadal | 24-16 | Roger Federer |
Djokovic vs Nadal: An Epic Rivalry
Last year’s dramatic showdown at the 2022 French Open quarterfinals saw Nadal clinch victory over Djokovic. This unforgettable match could potentially be their last face-off, given Nadal’s struggles with injury. Over nearly two decades, their rivalry has kept tennis fans on the edge of their seats.
When we crunch the numbers, Djokovic emerges as the victor in their head-to-head record, having beaten Nadal in 30 out of the 59 Tour-level matches they’ve battled in1. Djokovic also holds the unique distinction of defeating Nadal multiple times at the French Open.
Djokovic vs Federer: Clash of Champions
The Djokovic-Federer rivalry is no less thrilling. They’ve crossed rackets 50 times, and Djokovic in Wimbledon has been the last man standing in 27 of these encounters. The 2019 Wimbledon final was a match for the ages. Back in March 2021, he broke Federer’s record, having held the No.1 spot in the world’s men’s tennis for a whopping 311 weeks.
World’s Top in 12 Different Years
Fast forward to today: Djokovic in Wimbledon and other important events record sits at an astounding 389 weeks, impacting tennis odds significantly. He’s been the world’s top player in 12 different years – a feat that no other player has achieved. He has also claimed the title of the world’s most successful player in a single season seven times, yet another record to his name.
Djokovic is currently ahead, but who knows what the fickle future might hold for this tennis legend.
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