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Novak Djokovic’s Redemption
Two years ago (2021), exactly on this day, Sep 10, Novak Djokovic’s dreams of a calendar Grand Slam were shattered, leaving him in tears on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The man who broke his dreams was Daniil Medvedev.
Barred from competing in 2022 due to COVID-19 vaccination policies, he never had a chance for redemption that year.
But on Sunday, Sep 10, 2023, Djokovic seized his opportunity for revenge, battling for over three hours and 17 minutes to defeat his rival Daniil Medvedev in straight sets. With this triumph, Djokovic not only secured his redemption but also tied Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 major titles. At 36, he also became the oldest player to win the US Open in the open era.
We may all have our favorites, but at this point, it’s futile to even argue who the G.O.A.T in tennis really is. Djokovic’s victory today cements his place in tennis history once again. This US Open win is a testament to his relentless determination and unparalleled skill on the court.
3 French Open, 4 US Open, 7 Wimbledon, and 10 Australian Open titles.
3 4 7 10
That’s what his trophy shelf holds today.
Novak Djokovic’s 24th major title victory at the 2023 US Open held immense emotional significance for him. In a heartfelt tribute to his late mentor, friend, and NBA icon Kobe Bryant, Djokovic unveiled a custom t-shirt bearing the words “Mamba Forever” on the front.
During the trophy ceremony, Djokovic revealed that the idea of creating the t-shirt had been in his mind for about a week leading up to the tournament. He kept it a secret until a few days ago when he reached out to his team for help in bringing the idea to life. Djokovic spoke fondly of his friendship with Bryant, emphasizing how they frequently discussed the mindset of champions. He regarded Bryant as one of his primary sources of guidance and support during his journey back to the top of the game after dealing with injuries. Djokovic viewed this gesture as a meaningful way to acknowledge Bryant’s extraordinary achievements and the impact he had on the sporting world.
To paraphrase what John McEnroe said, “Novak is a very thoughtful man and this gesture, coming from him today, is highly meaningful.” It indeed was.
I will admit. I have been a not-so-great-fan of Djokovic. The Federer fan in me kept wishing Novak’s career never really took the trajectory it has now. Even though everyone knew what a talented player Novak is, to see his career progress to where it is today has been somewhat amazing. Somewhat humbling. Following Novak Djokovic throughout his career has been akin to witnessing a sculpture taking shape from a raw block of stone under the skilled hands of a master sculptor. At first, it’s just a massive, formless rock, but with each chisel strike and each precise cut, a remarkable sculpture gradually emerges. The transformation is so gradual that it’s easy to underestimate how profoundly the final masterpiece diverges from the initial, unrefined stone.
I am not such a keen follower of all tennis tournaments that are played around the world. I mostly stick to following just the Grand Slams. And maybe an occasional ATP tour big match here or there. And yet, having followed Novak’s career the way I have from 2007, I can say this. Despite the passage of time, the essence of his game and character have persevered, defying all odds. Yet, amidst the familiar, undeniable changes have occurred.
Djokovic’s remarkable agility and graceful limbs still embody the pinnacle of athletic perfection. His movements are orchestrated with masterful precision to conserve energy, captivating all who observe. The flawless rotation of his torso and shoulders, accompanied by his lightning-fast footwork, has continued to thrill tennis fans from the moment he burst onto the scene in 2007. While rough edges once marred his performance, they have been meticulously smoothed away, leaving an unparalleled level of brilliance. Where anger once consumed him, he now harnesses adversity to propel him forward. All these changes have been so gradual. Very similar to a sculpture getting sculpted.
Djokovic has embraced the intensity of baseline rallies from the very beginning. Little did we know that he would transform them into the foundation of his remarkable empire, fueled by his unwavering determination, unmatched skill, and the endurance to balance both his own struggles and those of his formidable adversaries.
“Novak just keeps letting the pressure build in rallies, little by little,” ESPN analyst James Blake observed during one of Djokovic’s early-round US Open matches. “He’s never in a hurry until he needs to be.”
That is why, the longer a match goes, the higher the chances are for Djokovic to break his opponent’s rhythm and win. It’s a subtle observation that speaks to the almost leisurely way Djokovic can break down an opponent. It’s the product of years of discipline, years of experimentation and on-the-fly decision making.
Djokovic still maintains his youthful physique, sharp jawline, and stylish black haircut, now infused with a touch of gray. And his performance and consistency on Grand Slam stages is nothing short of extraordinary.
From 2011 to 2016, Djokovic emerged as either the champion or runner-up in an impressive 18 out of 24 majors. In more recent times, from Wimbledon 2018 to the present, he has maintained his dominance by finishing as either the champion or runner-up in an astounding 14 out of 19 majors entered, and an incredible 9 out of the last 10.
Long gone are the days when as a teenager he would take too many breaks due to injuries and would get called out by his opponents. Long gone are the days, when he was considered the third-wheel in the Fedal rivalry.
Clearly, matured by frustration, Djokovic came to a profound realization: in order to thrive in his field, he needed to undergo a remarkable transformation. He discovered a remedy for his struggles, a concoction composed of equal measures of unwavering determination, insatiable curiosity, mindful focus, and unyielding dedication. All easier said than done.
“I have to have an approach that is different from what it was 10 years ago,” Novak said, “I have had to adapt. I have a lot of people around me, in terms of medical [needs], fitness and physiotherapy, and kinesiology to make sure that my body is in shape to compete at the highest level.
“It’s important to address everything holistically, [in a] multidisciplinary [way], because then you will just be more prepared. You will have more tools that you can use in a given moment.”
He is 36 now. The transformation started to happen around 2009–2010. As Djokovic stepped into his 30s, many wondered how he would fare against his dominant younger self. ESPN analyst Renee Stubbs recently posed this question to him during an on-court interview.
“Easy, easy, no problems,” Djokovic replied, grinning. “Straight sets for me, the 36-year old.”
He then turned serious.
“I don’t know, I don’t want to play myself. But I do. Every single match. I play myself the most, and if I win this battle I will also win the battle with my opponent.”
So how does an already perfect player become more perfect?
Where does this journey take Novak Djokovic next?
I guess we are finding out.
24, 25, 26, 27,…
