[ad_1]
The year of tennis 2020 is grotesque. And the player who connects all the extraordinary stories to each other is Novak Djokovic. The Serb wrote the last chapter so far on Sunday when he carelessly hit a ball after a break against himself in the second round of the US Open and hit a linesman. After a brief treatment of the victim and a tough discussion about the consequences, it was clear: Djokovic will be disqualified.
A low point for the tournament and for Djokovic, who did not react like this for the first time after losing points. However, so far this has not had serious consequences. He downplayed the incident on the court, but has since apologized.
From a sporting point of view, this blackout opens the second Grand Slam tournament of the year for a whole generation of players. “Now it’s getting interesting,” said top German tennis player Alexander Zverev. “There will be a new Grand Slam champion.” Zverev, 23, is treated as a winner, as are Austrian Dominic Thiem, 27, Italian Matteo Berrettini, 24, or Daniil Medvedev, 24, of Russia. They belong to the group of great talents who have always had to line up behind Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the big four tournaments.
The dominance of the Big Three over the past 16 years has been overwhelming without spreading boredom. The currently injured Federer has 20 Grand Slam titles. Nadal, who did not go voluntarily to New York, only won one less. And with Djokovic basically everything spoke in favor of succeeding at the US Open for the 18th time in one of the four great tournaments. The 33-year-old had won all 26 games this short season. He was the dominant player and he could only beat himself, and he did it in a way that will stick with him.
Federer, Nadal, Djokovic: the big three
The big three not only shared the important tournaments with each other, but also played countless matches that surprised all the amateur tennis players, and there have been many of them in Germany since Boris Becker won Wimbledon in 1985. An example is the Wimbledon final in 2019, when Djokovic won against Federer 13:12 in the fifth set. Or Djokovic’s win at the Australian Open 2012. Or this exciting ups and downs in Federer’s five-set win against Nadal in Melbourne in 2017. Or, or, or.
Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, they are big names and big brands. Each with its own image. Federer is the effortless genius loved by almost every viewer. Nadal is a tough fighter who can be annoying with his quirks, but is still highly respected for his fairness.
An eternal rivalry: Roger Federer (left) and Rafael Nadal in 2008
Photo: Ryan Pierse / Getty Images
Djokovic is the stubborn one who can’t put it off that easily even off the field, and who probably doesn’t have too much heart for that reason.
The world’s number one is not to blame for this situation. This was demonstrated by his expulsion from the US Open. But it is also due to the chivalrous culture that Federer and Nadal brought to tennis. Always fair, always friendly and also a friend to the toughest competitor. In the 1970s and 1980s, bad guys like John McEnroe weren’t just part of it, they were accepted. Rivalries were on display, bullies and curses flew. Each man for himself. Djokovic does not get easy with Federer and Nadal.
Djokovic unapologetic after Adriatic tour
On the other hand, Djokovic is currently doing a lot not to be courted to the extent that it suits his sporting successes. When the tennis season had to come to a halt due to the crown pandemic, he hosted the now infamous Adriatic Tour. There it was played in front of the spectators, Djokovic held parties with other professionals, and shortly after he, some other players, but also supervisors and passers-by tested positive for the corona virus. The tennis tour’s efforts to get back quickly at least weren’t any easier. And Djokovic? He was unreasonable and told the New York Times that he didn’t think “I did anything wrong.”
No less troublesome was the establishment of the players’ union “Professional Tennis Player Association (PTPA)”, which he had promoted prior to the US Open. You have to fight for greater influence from the players, which is a noble goal. Ultimately, however, it is a redistribution of revenue from major tournaments. It is simply stupid if the WTA players are completely left out and tennis is in a difficult situation due to the pandemic, in which the future of many tournaments is at stake.
It turns out to be a side note that Djokovic defended Frenchman Adrian Mannarino at the chaotic US Open when he was supposed to be withdrawn from the tournament shortly before his match against Zverev because he had contact with Benoît Paire, who tested positive for the corona virus. should. Djokovic is not unpopular with the players, the tenor of the incident was: it can happen, it must not happen. You can show understanding for such a shorting reaction, but you should be able to hope that Djokovic learns from his mistake this time too.
