It’s Novak Djokovic’s world, that is clearly an understatement, but the intriguing question remains: is he universally feted like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal?
The Serbian is clearly the best men’s tennis player in the world and the hot favourite to win his sixth Australian Open crown, which would be his fourth Grand Slam in the past 12 months.
After dominating the tour so impressively last season, where he would have won all four majors had Stan Wawrinka not transformed into a carnivorous beast during the French Open final, Djokovic seems to have now legitimately entered the rarefied realm of Federer and Nadal.
It has taken a long time for Djokovic to be accepted in the same conversation as his two great rivals despite being consistently the best player over the past five years. He may have been the number one player in men’s tennis but, for so long, the number many associated with the Serbian star was three.
Starting in late 2007, when he had just entered his 20s, Djokovic became the world’s number three ranked player behind Federer and Nadal. Despite convincingly beating Federer in a semi-final en route to winning his first Grand Slam at the 2008 Australian Open, Djokovic was unable to crack the top two until 2010.
During one frustrating stretch, he spent a record 91 consecutive weeks stagnant at number three. Sure, it was a sign of remarkable consistency but the idleness was proving the ultimate tease for Djokovic.
During that period, at the height of the Federer-Nadal rivalry, it appeared Djokovic was destined to be an annoying third wheel to tennis’ two titans. Sure, Djokovic was likely to pinch the odd Grand Slam but it seemed unlikely he would legitimately challenge the supremacy of Federer and Nadal.
Djokovic may have been the third best player in the world but the perception of the public and pundits was that he was a notable notch below his rivals.
But the script started changing in 2011, a somewhat changing of the guard taking place as Djokovic propelled past Federer and Nadal to be the best player in men’s tennis. From 2011-14, he won six Grand Slams on three surfaces, compared to Nadal’s five (four being at his stomping ground at Roland Garros) and a measly one for Federer.
In 2011, Djokovic submitted a season regarded as perhaps one of the most dominant ever, winning 70 out of 76 matches on tour (including winning 41 straight), winning three Grand Slams and enjoying a 10-1 record against Federer and Nadal.
While unable to match his magical exploits of 2011, Djokovic was consistently brilliant in the next three years, as age somewhat stymied Federer’s absolute brilliance and injuries eventually slowed Nadal.
Still, despite that stunning success it didn’t feel that Djokovic was revered and exalted like Federer and Nadal. It’s as if the overriding sentiment was that he’s great but not great.
But after an absolutely magical 2015, and with much of the same overwhelming dominance expected again this year, Djokovic is now belatedly appreciated as one of the game’s greatest ever players to proudly sit alongside Federer and Nadal as ‘all-timers’.
Right now, however, he is not totally revered like Federer. And even Nadal – anecdotally anyway – is more beloved and appreciated than Djokovic. Perhaps we’re just being nostalgic over the Spaniard, whose ravaged body is unlikely to summon a renaissance, but it feels genuinely like he evokes more passion and sparks greater interest from both tennis and more casual fans.
Djokovic has certainly greatly matured in recent years to become a statesman of the sport but maybe he can’t quite shrug off his dubious early perception. Some of this stemmed from his goofy sense of humour and clownish antics, notably his imitations of his peers including Federer and Serena Williams. Unsurprisingly, his nickname became ‘The Djoker’.
Early in his career, Djokovic also came across as temperamental and slightly conceited.
“There is too much of this chest thumping and roaring when he wins. I would like to see him show a bit more humility, like Nadal and Federer,” Australian tennis legend Roy Emerson said of Djokovic in 2011.
Juxtaposing this, the Swiss is feted for his ice-cool composure and innate modesty, while the Spaniard is cherished for his resilience and unwavering passion while his shyness off the court has created the image of a lovable brute.
Another possible explanation for Djokovic’s less lofty public standing is aesthetics. Think of Federer and you think of his beautiful, deft ground strokes. Think of Nadal, and the enduring image is his sizzling forehand that appears to explode as if from a cannon.
Djokovic does not memorably evoke. Renowned tennis coach Nick Bollettieri said it best when he once described Djokovic as being “perhaps the best put-together player that I’ve seen in over 60 years”.
With no visible flaws, Djokovic is outstanding at every facet of tennis but does not possess that one indelible trademark to sear into the consciousness. It’s been hard for Djokovic to interrupt the adoration for the established Federer-Nadal rivalry, which has been probably the best contest in sport over the past decade.
From a cricket perspective, Djokovic’s doppelganger is Ricky Ponting, who had to battle comparisons with Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara for the bulk of his career. All three are retired and remembered as all-time great players, but Ponting’s standing is probably a notch below the other two even though it could be argued he had the more impactful career.
Like Djokovic, Ponting arrived after his rivals had established themselves. Despite being the world’s best batsman for a five-year period from 2002-2007, where his Test average was about 70, it always felt Ponting was slightly overshadowed by his illustrious counterparts.
Djokovic is set for another astounding season. Maybe after more absolute domination, momentum will continue to build and he’ll generate the kind of adoration long reserved for Federer and Nadal.
Djokovic is in for a wild ride this season and over the next few years. But he should take heed in an old idiom – all good things come in threes.
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