Joker may trump all for major wins
A MERE three months ago, Novak Djokovic was in the depths of despair.
Eliminated in the French Open quarters, he brooded sulkily about potentially bypassing the British grasscourt season, including Wimbledon.
Still uncertain about mind and elbow, the Serb fretted over his future.
Three months later, Djokovic has restored confidence and reputation, while reviving the prospect of overtaking Roger Federer’s record of 20 grand slam singles crowns. In the space of 12 weeks, The Joker has been transformed from supposedly washed up to world’s best.
Victory in the US Open final – his third at Flushing Meadows – was his 14th at the highest level.
Now level with his idol Pete Sampras and Roy Emerson, Djokovic shares equal third place overall behind Federer (20) and Rafael Nadal (17).
At 31, Djokovic is a year younger than Nadal – and more effective on all surfaces apart from clay.
And he is six years younger than Federer, whose quarterfinal defeat at Wimbledon and fourth-round US Open exit raise more questions than answers.
Djokovic has won successive majors for the first time in two seasons, finally shrugging off chronic elbow issues.
History shows that when the most athletic man in tennis gets hot, he is virtually untouchable.
In 2015-16, Djokovic contested six consecutive major finals, winning four – to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four grand slam crowns simultaneously.
This season, after banishing the troubles of Paris, he has reemerged as an immense force.
By denying Federer in Cincinnati, Djokovic became the only player in history to have won all nine ATP Masters 1000 events. As streaks go, this is one of the best of Djokovic’s stunning career.
If he continues at his current rate – and bearing in mind he leads both Federer (24-22) and Nadal (27-25) in head-tohead battle – he has the time to overtake both at the majors.