It's the 3rd of January 2012.
Novak Djokovic.
What comes to your mind when you see that name first?
World Number One, The Streak, 3 slams in one year, 10:1 against Fedal, 6:0 against Nadal, The Shot....
How about the 3rd of January 2011?
One slam wonder, Davis Cup hero, The Joker, The retirement king, Eternal number 3....
So how come such a huge change in a thought process?
OK, let's have confession time:
how many of you HAVE had a change in the thought process when it comes to Novak Djokovic?
How many of you still cling to the Old World Order, think Novak is still a fluke, wonder if he can repeat ANY of 2011, secretly hope for some nasty secret revelation that would explain ALL!
Surely, he's just a Djoker, he's still one of the lads in the locker room, doesn't carry an aura of Aura about him. A bit like a present without the wrapping.
Surely, if he could do it they ALL can do it, how dare he have put them all to shame.....I mean, HOW!!!???
Well, I know the answer, and I have repeated it many times, somehow it always seems to fall on deaf ears....
For those who still hope to find the answer to the Enigma, well, there's only one:
Nole IS the best ....
P.S.
It's the 3rd of January 2013.....think!
The Novak Djokovic Enigma
posted on 3/1/12
When I claimed in 2008 that he would eventually become No1, my friends thought I was mad. They said it could not happen as long as either Federer or Nadal is still around. When Djoker became No1 just before the Wimbledon final, they said he might be No 1 but he can't win Wimbledon. Of course, they were to be proven wrong.
What I mean is, there will always be doubters. They are either Nadal or Federer fans, and let's be honest, for years and years the tennis fans around the world were divided into NAdal and Fed fans - others were just a tiny minority. Those doubters will use any excuse to belittle Djokovic, no matter what he achieves.
But my belief that Djoko would be No1 was not just wishful thinking. I could see that he has the shots, the power and the character to beat Fed and Nadal, he only needed to convince himself.
The 2009 and most of 2010 were a bit of a mystery. There was clearly a setback in his progress and it is difficult to fathom what was the reason for that. I suspect some personal issues (family or girlfriend) possibly also health concerns. Brad Gilbert appointment was a bad idea and messed up his service.
But then it all clicked and he is finally playing like I always knew he could. Long may it last. I am very much looking forward to see how will Nadal and Federer fare against him this year, after he completely dominated them (at least results-wise) last year.
posted on 4/1/12
Nole wasn't physically ready to compete against Fedal until last year. He's finally filled out a bit and this gluten-free diet seems to have helped him feel more energised. I wish I could discipline myself like that. On second thoughts, maybe not....I don't know how the rest would come with my extra energy
posted on 4/1/12
come=cope
posted on 7/1/12
gunner, well spotted in him becoming world number 1, I genuinely didn't think he could do it having seen him lose 2 set and break lead to Melzer at RG.
Love his character and his ability to applaud opponents and refocus.
Very worthy number 1 in my book.
posted on 7/1/12
Well, the two one star ratings comfirm my article thesis: some poeple hate Nole being number one to which I say: TOUGH !