Djokovic out to make it a hat-trick of Grand Slams

January 15, 2019 wildcat0206 Blogs 26

There may not have been as much participation in the festive season in the Novak Djokovic household this year as the Serb eyed up a hat-trick of Grand Slams (three in a row)–with the now ongoing Australian Open. The 31-year-old is on confidence following an incredible turn around in fortunes that saw him win both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in 2018. Few would have predicted that Djokovic would have been able to have done what he did, but now that he has,there’s no doubt he will be intent on striking whilst the iron is still hot.

If you were to cast your mind back to early June of last season and to the quarterfinals of the French Open where Djokovic had just suffered a shock defeat to world No. 72 Marco Cecchinato, it becomes all the more unbelievable that he was able to win back-to-back Grand Slams shortly thereafter.

By his own admission, Djokovic wasn’t sure whether he would play on grass and insisted he may skip Wimbledon after the loss to Cecchinato. He can blow quite hot at times and the more you look back at it the more it seems a lot was said in the heat of the moment during the press conference afterwards. Having just crashed out of a quarterfinal, you can certainly understand how disappointed he was and with the dust not yet settled, Djokovic shot from the hip in an outburst that led many to believe he was considering his future in the game.

It was just over a month later that Djokovic would beat an exhausted Kevin Anderson in straight sets to win his fourth Wimbledon title and by doing so announce to the tennis world he wasn’t finished by any stretch of the imagination. The Serb made an even bigger statement two months after that as he beat Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro to win the U.S. Open and a 14th major title.

It was a stunning turnaround in the season for Djokovic, but how was he able to pull it off? He credits climbing Mont Sainte-Victoire in the south of France with his wife after the French Open. It was at the top where Djokovic says he was able to find a new perspective and a new positive outlook on life. “Some great things will happen in your life,” Djokovic says, “if you end up climbing it.” And who can dispute that after all he has ended up doing since June.

Now that Djokovic is on the run he is on, he is backed as the favorite in the Australian Open odds at 5/4. If he is able to pull off another victory, he will win a hat-trick of majors and only be two shy of Rafael Nadal’s grand slam count. It really is quite amazing how quickly certain situations in life can change.

After Roland Garros, it appeared as if Djokovic’s wonderful career had gone as far as it could–but now all of a sudden Djokovic may well be called one of the greatest of all time…especially if he wins another Australian Open.

There may be a whole host of people making their way to the south of France to climb a certain mountain following Djokovic’s latest heroics.

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26 Comments on Djokovic out to make it a hat-trick of Grand Slams

  2. Why is anyone surprised? Djokovic had some kind of mysterious injury – elbow, he said. I think he also had a “mental injury” or maybe just emotional exhaustion following his Djoker slam. He didn’t seem quite the same after winning RG. But his virtual collapse in 2017 was unexpected to say the least.

    He hasn’t really been dominant since. He barely beat Nadal at Wimbledon in his semi last year, won vs an exhausted Anderson, then won the USO following Fed’s unexpected early loss, Rafa’s knee injury and then won vs DelPo. He’s looked less than impressive since, but so have the other “usual suspects”. Djokovic hasn’t so much been dominant as the other top guys have gone MIA. Murray out of contention, Rafa ditto, Fed iffy (hand injury? fatigue?), Stan trying to come back from knee surgeries plus a bunch of injured 2nd tier players and young guns who show promise but are not quite there yet. He’s looked less than impressive since the USO. Which isn’t to say he won’t win the AO. Someone’s gotta win and no one else stands out atm.

    Reply

    • Ramara, I completely agree with you. Djoko has lost twice in a row to unlikely contenders, i.e Sasha at the WTF and no-weapons B-Agut in Doha after barely getting past Fucsovics and Basilashvili, yet people seem to think he is unassailable.

      Of course he is capable of winning any tournament he enters, like Fed and Rafa. That being said, it is not a given as he has lost to quite a few average players recently. He may well win the AO but there are a few players who could take him out.

      Reply

  3. I agree w @Ramara. But, we can’t expect another 2011 or 2015 year for Djoksi, as he is now 31. He must focus on GS, and, if he win 2 this year, he will be satisfied. I think he can beat Roger’s records, but let’s see. IMO, he will win AO and USO, and I predict that either RG or W will be won by some of new generation or, maybe, Thiem – if Rafa is not on his best, Thiem will win RG. That’s only my predicion, but we will see. Also, Djoko has very,very difficult draw. From early round, he must be focused 100%. Tsonga, Shapo, Goffin or Medvedev and Nishikori can hurt him. On the other hand, Roger and Rafa also have mines – Tsitsipas, Cilic for Fed and De Minaur and Anderson for Rafa. I predict the reprise of W final- Djoko vs. Anderson, and Djoko win in 4.

    Reply

  5. At the last 2 AOs, Djokovic has only made 2nd round and 4th round. Even with Rafa’s exemplary record at RG, he would not have been seen as the favourite in the next FO title with that kind of track record, irrespective of the reasons for his losses. Federer has won the last 2 AO titles and he’s playing well enough to win it this year, yet many feel that so-called ‘dominant’ Djokovic already has his name on the trophy.

    I’m not saying Djoko cannot win this AO, I’m just saying some rational perspective is required. He beat a novice yesterday and people as evidence of his dominance. Michelle Krueger would have lost to 99% of the draw.

    Reply

  7. I don’t know why there is this need to keep talking about Novak not being the overwhelming favorite here, as if it is sacrilege. We all know his troubles recently with shoulder or elbow issues and mental burnout. He was in a serious slump. But he has obviously rebounded.

    He should go in as the favorite. That does not mean it is inevitable that he will win. I always say there is never a sure thing at a slam, the closest being Rafa at RG. We will have to see how it all plays out. There are usually upsets along the way.

    My main focus is in Rafa. I would love to see him get a great result here to start off the new year. We will see if he can play himself into form and make some noise here.

    Reply

  8. People take predictions so seriously. I have no interest in picking favourites. I know who I would like to win but me saying he is the favourite is irrelevant. I just believe that the matches still have to be played irrespective of past records.

    Reply

    • 👍Nadline!

      I agree, matches have to be played. Rafa looks fine, and I’m pleased with how he plays. I hope he remains injury free so that he can play his best here.

      It’s too early to say who will win the whole thing, sometimes favourites don’t win in the end. For the big three, the early rounds are usually won when they’re not at their best yet, just play well enough to win.

      Djoko doesn’t look too impressive against Tsonga but still good enough to win in straight. I’m sure he’ll up his level as he progresses, likewise for Rafa and Fed.

      One thing I’ve to say about Djoko, he sometimes wins at the slams even when not playing all that well; he simply grinds his way to a win and whether it’s luck or he’s just that great, he manages to be the last man standing.

      Fed and Rafa, OTOH, have to play at or close to their best in order to win at the slams. I actually don’t think Djoko played that well to win at Wimbledon and USO last year, but he’s still the last man standing.

      Reply

      • Luckystar, I totally agree. What I’ve noticed with Djokovic is that he often plays it safe and attack when he has the opportunity or his opponents donate points, like Tsonga did today, by making errors when they try to hit winners having done all the work. Tsonga donated Djokovic the 2nd set today. In the first set, neither of them was playing well but Djokovic was slightly better. I didn’t pay too much attention to the 3rd set because I was so disgusted with Tsonga throwing the 2nd set away and I was watching the exciting duel between Sasha and Chardy at the same time.

        Rafa plays risqué tennis and Roger plays attacking tennis. They are far more interesting to watch than someone who mostly keeps the ball in play waiting for his opponent to miss or suddenly hits a winner out of the blue. To beat Djokovic you have to take it to him and take him away from the baseline.

        Reply

  9. No one is questioning that the matches have to be played on the court. I don’t put much stock in predictions. It is just a way to participate and try to pick the winners. I don’think anyone takes then that seriously. Saying someone is the favorite or one of the favorites, is just handicapping the field. It’s done in all sports.

    We can always expect the unexpected. Rafa usually does not like to go in as the favorite. He likes to fly under the radar. But he cannot avoid it at RG because of what he has done there. Then there are the dark horses who could end up crashing the party and disrupting many predictions.

    The best thing is when play starts and we can just watch what happens.

    I like how Rsfa is looking after his second match. I thought his movement was better, more speed. The serve looks good. That forehand is blasting winners. He looks healthy and that is the most important thing.

    Rafa will be ready for De Minaur. He takes no one for granted.

    Reply

  11. Never minded people making predictions, its when they start to state them out to be bona fide facts, many have dont that on other forums i wont name , only to be left with egg all over their smug faces ….

    Reply

  12. We have to enjoy tennis whether our predictions are right or wrong. Not taking them too seriously. I, for example thought Raonic will win against Wawrinka, but that ego satisfaction is nothing compared to actually watching the matches I choose to. The big 3 look good. Let’s see who falls first or if all 3 of them will play the semis. Actually I’m expecting one of them to be stopped in the QF. Just a probabily game.

    Reply

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