Congratulations to Novak Djokovic - 23 slams - The greatest of all time.

 Novak GOAT

 

 

Ken Roswall 24 years in the top 10

 1248 Weeks in the top 10 according to my math.

Tennis Abstract

"Muscles hung on in the top ten until 1976, 24 years after his first appearance on that list. He continued to enter tour events until 1980. At age 45, he won his first-round match at all three tournaments he played."

 

 

Tennis Rankings are a Mess - Let Novak. Play

The ATP, Wimbledon Officials, Australian Politicians, and finally, USA CDC; They've all contributed to screwing up Tennis Rankings and tournament participation by Tennis Players who only want to hit tennis balls, make their own health decisions, and not involve themselves in politics when it comes to tennis.

Let Novak Play - at the U.S. Open

Nadal Close to Retirement before Wimbledon

 Tennis Buzz - in his words

At some point, the question has to be asked, is this precisely the situation, or is it overstated? He keeps coming back and playing and shows no noticeable reduction in function. I doubt how bad it is, so when do we call BS?

Tennis Farce - Wimbledon Points

 More posing from the Tennis Leadership on both sides.  First Wimbledon poses with its Russian player ban and then the ATP poses with a Faux penalty against Wimbledon for doing that.   

Tennis Farce

Tsitsipas on the three set change for Slam Events

 Tsitsi

Tennis Final Set Tiebreak Tested at Slams

 New Rule

Novak Djokovic Stands on Principle - No Vax

 "a deeply committed libertarian who believes strongly in individual autonomy."  

Novak decides against Vaccine

Those who call him names and judge him should question their own motives. If you believe the vax works, then his status shouldn't bother you. This all seems political, and he should have a right to choose. I respect his stand on principle, and the discipline he follows to achieve his goals. His playing record justifies his approach.

 Standing on Principle

How did denying Novak the chance to play in the 2022 AO change the outcome? Rock - Scissors - Paper

 Here is how I see it.

It reminds me of the Rock, Scissors, Paper game.

In the Big 3, before 2011 Fed could beat everyone except Rafa. When Novak hit stride in 2011 and forward, Rafa couldn't touch him on HC but Rafa can beat everyone including Fed. 

 Now, Med may become a problem for Novak as he has shown, but it has still been 9 years since Rafa has taken a set from Novak. So, if the draw had Novak facing Rafa anywhere in the draw, even the finals, the odds were his. 

How were the odds changed?

It moved Rafa's chance to win the whole thing from less than 20% to 50%.   And because of how games line up, it took Med's chance from say 40-50 % against Novak to 25% against Rafa.    Against Med, even. Knocking Novak out of it took him from a 50-70% depending on the draw, to Zero.  

 

2021 Judging the Best Players

 Slam Rankings for 2021 by points

What happens to old Tennis Champions at the end of their career? What to do. Solution - play doubles.

I see Fed is hoping to come back to play singles again.   He's a few years ahead of Novak in age so this will be a portent of what Novak may face.

For Fed:  As long as he can move past the injury I can see some flashes of his old self, but it will be hard to keep it up. Recovery at this age is the problem especially if you're in a tournament for a couple weeks and have matches day after day. I would actually like to see him and many other top singles players shift to doubles play to extend their careers and also popularize that aspect of tennis again. He could also take some trophies with the right partner that would add to the tally. That is how they are counting it still right, slam title wins, not broken down by singles and doubles.

As for Novak, I think he has years left on the singles court and I hope that when that time comes when he finds trouble getting to the finals of big tournaments.   I'd like to see Novak play doubles at the end of his career as well to prove that in every category that he can rule the court.   

Novak the GOAT - at the top since 2011

21 or True Love?

 He has love enough from his ardent fans.   I believe that he should only worry about 21 slams and that is it along with staying at #1 as long as possible.

 

Novak the Unloved by many but his fans

 I became a Novak fan in 2011 after seeing him play at the US Open. His style may not please you and his mannerisms and missteps might not either, but you cannot deny his success. He grew on me over time.

 Novak - people who follow him understand

Australian Open - No Jab No Play

 New Mandate for AO - Will Novak skip it?

Nova wins 27 out of 28 matches in historic run for a Calendar Year Grand Slam. Some claim it was a choke.

It's easy for a side line spectator to call falling just short a choke when they have no knowledge of the difficulty involved in this goal.  

Suggestions Novak Choked Absurd

Perspective on the Med win over Novak

 

This tweet from Zemek says it quite well.  Novak had a rough day after a superb year.  Losses happen.

Consider this as well.

If you've ever been jammed into an immediate follow up match by a tournament director while your opponent is rested, you know the issue.  I've had it happen to me twice in my youth.  In Novak's case, it is apparent that previous long matches took their toll that made full recovery in the time available very unlikely.

He was spent at the beginning. His legs looked dead. He tried various changes such as taking the net to make up for it, but to no avail. It wasn't going to be his day. 

 This happens to the best and has over the history of the sport. What I'm amazed at is the level of visceral hatred for Novak and the gloating that he lost. His playing record still indicates that he's one of the best ever and no matter the chatter, he's at least the equal of the other members of the Big 3. 

The Calendar year Grand Slam is a unique measure for men's tennis among many metrics and maybe it's meant to be so rare that only two men will hold it. It allows Laver to stand alone for his two CYGS making his lower numbers in other categories less reliable indicators. We know he was prevented from slam competition during much of his prime when he turned pro as were many other big names. Here is another take on what Med did. ATP Article. 

 I think all of the strategy available to Novak wouldn't have made up for lethargy.  He was below par and not admitting that means you weren't watching.

Novak isn't done for sure.   I expect him to win more events and more slams.   

Should Novak Retire if He wins Tonight?

Yes, a win tonight would confirm his position as the GOAT to many if not most tennis fans.  There are reasons to continue forward.  First, Novak doesn't seem motivated by money but for the records and the challenge to be the best.   Walking away now would always leave him and the rest of us wondering what could have been   

Second, to achieve this Grand Slam would give him more power within tennis to help shape the direction of the ATP and other aspects of player representation.  He cares about this based on his past efforts for player representation.

Third, you don't get this far without having a drive within you to keep pushing forward.  It's not like Sampras where he seemed finished and then came back to prove himself, and then retired when he did.  Novak is still at the very top and hasn't been displaced.  I suspect he'll wait for that time.

Finally,  I don't think he'll retire post win, nor do I think he should. Always finish the job. One slam past Fed and Rafa isn't absolute. Rafa is like a movie character that always comes back to life. Don't turn your back on him when he's on the ground face down. It means nothing.

What Makes Novak Djokovic Great

 His body or his mind.

His mind is his most essential tool.  He uses it to sculpt, discipline, and control his body.   

His mind is his center.

How does he do it?--------

He has no wasted motion and no excess baggage in his game or his frame. He looks more fit now than ever, something I didn't see as possible since he's been at this level for a while now. At the same time, he doesn't go into mental collapse during a match. His opponents see this and can't believe it, often making them feel hopeless as he grinds them down. Thus, the Roddick claim that first he goes after your legs and then your soul.