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The Untouchable One
Sunday, 03 April 2011 21:01
By Sandra Harwitt
SM_DJOKOVIC_AO2011_D10_023Men’s tennis is heating up these days thanks to Novak Djokovic, who has quickly become known as the “Untouchable One.”

The Serbian, who used to be a trooper at losing his focus and whining, has discovered a steel-trap mind and a racket that can’t miss a shot.

Proof you require? Proof you’ll get.

Djokovic’s now taken out the world No. 1 Rafael Nadal in back-to-back finals. He beat him 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 at Indian Wells, and now battled to a 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4) win in front of 14,600 or so thrilled fans.

Not good enough proof for you yet?

How about the fact that he’s cruising on a 24-0 winning streak this year, winning every tournament he’s played: the Australian Open, Dubai, Indian Wells, Miami.

You want more?

The last time he lost a match was to Roger Federer at the ATP year-ender in November. So if you go back to 2010 he’s actually 26-0 because he won both of his singles matches in the Serbian’s Davis Cup winning effort against France in December.

“It’s the best four months in my life,” Djokovic beamed.

“It just incredible to win against the No. 1 player in the world in a tiebreaker in the third set,” Djokovic said after his win. He later continued on, saying, “It was one of the closest and best finals that I have played ever. To be able to win against a great champion like Nadal is, of course he’s No. 1 player of the world, and at this stage he’s always playing his best.”

It’s just almost too good to be true. Here’s a guy who won his first Grand Slam title at the 2008 Australian Open, then kind of posted up-and-down results until he found a mental fortitude that’s become palpable.

“What he’s doing is unbelievable, sinning four tournaments in a row, difficult ones, one Grand Slam, two Masters 1000, Dubai,” Nadal said. “He’s a great champion and all the best for the rest of the season for him.”

Of course, now the real test is coming. The tour leaves behind the hard court winter circuit, a favorite of Djokovic’s, and moves onto clay courts. Let’s not forget that Nadal is considered the King of Clay – he’s poised to go down in history as the best clay courter ever.

Can Djokovic beat up on Nadal on clay?

Well if history tells the tale the answer is no. Nadal still leads Djokovic 16-9 in their head-to-head and has won all 11 of their matches that haven’t taken place on hard court – that’s all nine they’ve played on clay courts. Djokovic, however, is 9-5 over Nadal on hard courts.

But it wasn’t that long ago that Nadal would have closed the door on Djokovic in this match. He came darn close – he was ahead 5-6, 15-30 on Djokovic’s serve in the 12th game of the final set, but he couldn’t find the two points needed to get it done.

“I was there fighting until the last point,” Nadal said. “You know, nothing left in my body right now, so that’s the sport. I love these kind of matches.”

One of the most interesting observations during the final was how many fans in the crowd were pulling
for Djokovic. Who knew South Florida was a Serbian stronghold. Most people would’ve thought Nadal
would have the majority of the crowd.

A number of the Serbian spectators waited for Djokovic to leave the tournament. They started to sing Serbian songs to Djokovic as he got behind the wheel and drove away, all smiles and on top of the world.

How long will Djokovic’s streak go on? Will Nadal step up and continue to own the clay court season?

Will Federer find his form again?

All great questions waiting to be answered. Let the good times roll.
 

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