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With his title at the Australian Open, Novak Djokovic is making the fight for the Grand Slam record ever more exciting. His ninth win at the Melbourne “Happy Slam” is his 18th major title.
This means that the Serbian has only two fewer Grand Slams on the bright side than the former aequo at the top, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. At 33, Djokovic is, firstly, the youngest of the trio and, secondly, the least prone to injury. At the age of 34, Nadal probably still has a few years to go and at his favorite tournament, the French Open, the next opportunity to take the lead alone.
For the nearly 40-year-old Federer, it is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve more victories at the highest level of tennis. Because not only Nadal and Djokovic are hot for big wins, the next generation around Dominic Thiem, Daniil Medvedev or Stefanos Tsitsipas makes the fight for the biggest tennis titles more and more exciting.
Ivanisevic predicts a duel
For Djokovic’s manager Goran Ivanisevic, it is clear that his protégé and Rafael Nadal will set the record for each other. You don’t have to lean too far out the window when you predict your protégé will overtake Federer.
“They surprise me every day. Rafa will definitely win another one, I hope not two. They are still playing better,” said Ivanisevic, who is also number one in the world tennis rankings even then.
Of course, even Margaret Court’s current overall record of 24 titles would still be within reach. For Federer, after a year off and almost 40, despite his exceptional talent, it will be extremely difficult. The Swiss superstar has not won a major since the 2018 Australian Open.
Djokovic in Australia is in a class of his own
Djokovic has already indicated that he will focus even more on the majors (more info >>). Also, you will now heal your abdominal muscle injury. “I did another MRI and the damage has increased compared to the first MRI,” he said after a gentle 7: 5.6: 2.6: 2 on Daniil Medvedev.
Other former tennis greats have also expressed their enthusiasm for Djokovic’s appearance in Melbourne. “It was an incredible performance. It was also a strong statement towards the next generation, for us the whole world. Novak is such a complete player,” said Mats Wilander as a Eurosport expert.
And former US Open winner Andy Roddick praised on Twitter: “Djoker is so good. There’s no way you can attack him on the court. It’s like when you can’t beat a boxer and this boxer knocks out. He has power in both his hands. . “
Strong comeback after a mixed 2020
Djokovic was beaten like a boxer in the last year: both with the organization of the Adria Tour, where the players had parties and also infected with the corona virus, and with the disqualification at the US Open, after accidentally joining a linesman hit a ball hit away. In the run-up to the Australian Open, Djokovic had made himself unpopular with players due to quarantine regulations and his demand for relaxation.
Djokovic is used to constant scolding from the media, who in terms of popularity cannot keep up with Federer and Nadal, despite all his visible efforts. “Of course it hurts. I have emotions and I don’t enjoy when someone attacks me in the media. But I have developed tough skin over the years,” Djokovic said. After his ninth victory in his “Rod Laver Arena hall”, the Serbian was indulgent. He is as powerful in Melbourne as Nadal was in Paris and Federer was at Wimbledon for many years.
In addition to new opportunities for improvement for Dominic Thiem, Daniil Medwedew, Alexander Zverev and Co., it will be perhaps the most exciting question of this year: What can Roger Federer achieve again after his long break? You can get a first impression of this in just under two weeks, when the Confederation returns to the ATP tour in Doha.
Men’s Grand Slam title classification:
| site | Name | nationality | qualification | Period | Still active |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Roger Federer | Swiss | twenty | 2003-2018 | Y |
| 1. | Rafael Nadal | Spain | twenty | 2005-2020 | Y |
| 3. | Novak Djokovic | Serbia | 18 | 2008-2021 | Y |
| Four. | Pete sampras | USA | 14 | 1990-2002 | Do not |
| 5. | Roy Emerson | Australia | 12 | 1961-1967 | Do not |
| 6. | Björn Borg | Sweden | eleven | 1974-1981 | Do not |
| 6. | Rod Laver | Australia | eleven | 1960-1969 | Do not |
Text as: © LAOLA1.at/APA
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