The current number one in the world, Novak (Nole) Djokovic, has had an incredible ride since Serbia won the Davis Cup in the fall of 2010. It was as if the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders. The people of Serbia could now celebrate, and Nole could focus on himself.
And he did. Putting together a team he went about one of the most incredible transformations any athlete could go through. First he was diagnosed with a ‘gluten’ allergy which contributed to his almost ‘asthmatic’ condition on court. Then he hired a mentor, a shaman, who righted his mind to make him believe in himself. Then he got in the best shape of his life.
And 2011 was the Year of Nole, winning three of four Grand Slams; going undefeated from the beginning of the year until the semifinals of the French Open where he played a recharged Roger Federer and lost.
Novak’s shotmaking, confident — toeing the baseline confident — allowed him to take many of his opponent’s shots earlier, off the bounce or on the rise, step in and rip his shots. He was dominant from the baseline, dictating the rally, making all other opponents move further, wider and faster.
Nole controlled the baseline. His shots were consistently landing within the last fifth of the court, challenging the best players in the world — no! daring — to do more with less.
Nole in 2011 was the most dominant player who had emerged in quite some time.
How could anyone repeat such a performance? As Rafael Nadal said, ‘it will be difficult to repeat (2011), no?’ And that’s after losing to Nole six times: Masters 1000 in Indian Wells, Key Biscayne (Hardcourts); Madrid, Rome (claycourts); Wimbledon (grass) and the US Open (hardcourts).
In 2012, Nole repeated in Miami and Toronto (they move it each year from Toronto to Montreal) and logged in one Grand Slam, defending the Australian Open. He lost in the finals of the French Open and the US Open, but then played spectacularly at the end of the year and won the Masters 1000 in Shanghai and the ATP World Championships in London.
But it certainly wasn’t 2011. Nole was different, tentative and unable to find a consistent range on his shots. That’s what happens when a player over thinks, over analyzes a moment in tennis. Nole in 2011 just moved and hit. There was little or no cognizant thought behind the magic. It was just unquestioned and all action.
When a player throws too many ‘what ifs’ into sports, he becomes like a Porsche filled with sand: gears begin to lock, instincts begin to freeze, shots have second guesses behind them.
Well 2013 is a different year. And after surviving a stunning 12-10 in the fifth comeback against, Stanislaw Wawrinka, Novak Djokovic has faced challenges head on, found his footing, his match stride, and fondly tastes the Nole of 2011. He is becoming a dominant player who doesn’t question shots anymore, but quickly and confidently steps up and rips to his spots on the court.
The elusive title he has missed and wants is coming up at the end of this month, the French Open. And if there is any question about what he can do on the very slow European red clay, then you only have to go to his performance in Monte Carlo which was in question from day one because of an ankle injury suffered in the Davis Cup tie against the US, where Nole dominated the eight time champion, Rafael Nadal in straight sets.
The first set he was up 5-0.
Our World’s No 1 is beginning to feel it again. And this French Open will be particularly interesting to see which Nole shows up. Personally I think Novak 2013 is looking a lot like Nole 2011. Even after his loss to Grigor Dimitrov in the second round in this past week at the Mutua Madrid Open, he’s still the one to watch as we enter the 2013 French Open.
Enjoy the show.
ClassicTennis 