TENNIS – Tennis experts and broadcasters seem to assume that the next era of men’s tennis will belong to Novak Djokovic. After all, there was the “Roger Federer” dominance era, then “Federer/Rafa Nadal”, then “Federer/Nadal/Djokovic/Andy Murray”, and now the “Nadal/Djokovic Era”. James Beck
Tennis experts and broadcasters seem to assume that the next era of men’s tennis will belong to Novak Djokovic. After all, there was the “Roger Federer” dominance era, then “Federer/Rafa Nadal”, then “Federer/Nadal/Djokovic/Andy Murray”, and now the “Nadal/Djokovic Era”.
So, it seems natural that the Novak Djokovic era is next, since there doesn’t appear to be anyone other than Nadal out there with the potential to crowd Djokovic. Stan Wawrinka is dangerous, but the 29-year-old Swiss late-bloomer isn’t likely to last long enough to join anyone’s era. Wawrinka’s Australian Open success may even have been something of a fluke, or a flash-in-the-pan moment out from under the Federer domination.
Djokovic Less Than One Year Younger Than Nadal
So, why not just a Djokovic era? The answer is the clock.
It’s ticking on Djokovic the same way it has been on Federer, and is now ticking on Nadal.
Believe it or not, Djokovic is less than a year younger than Nadal.
And judging from Djokovic’s brittleness before his Superman-like run in 2011, Novak may not even outlast Nadal. The wear-and-tear in the bigger matches probably has been just as significant on Djokovic as Nadal. Djokovic can’t go on forever living under the Superman banner, either.
Yes, the clock is ticking on Novak, too.
Rafa Can Dream Of Federer’s Record
Of course, Djokovic has the potential to snap Nadal’s French Open heyday in Sunday’s final. But there is no assurance that Djokovic’s own heyday will last much longer. Nadal, at least, sleeps at night knowing he has a good chance of catching Federer on the Grand Slam title list.
Djokovic couldn’t catch Federer’s 17 Grand Slam tournament titles in his wildest dream. Novak turned 27 years old a few weeks ago, just 12 days before Nadal hit 28.
Once Djokovic’s super-human lateral movement breaks down a bit as Mother Nature takes over, Novak likely won’t be as dangerous as even a soon-to-be 33-year-old Federer.
Will Final Be The Same?
David Ferrer and Murray appeared to have good chances of beating Nadal in Paris this year after playing so well against the Spaniard in the preliminary clay-court events. Ferrer even managed to win the first set against Nadal in the French quarterfinals. But otherwise, it was total dominance for Nadal against those two at Roland Garros.
Will the final be the same?
Djokovic dealt Nadal a defeat in Rome, even after spotting Nadal the first set.
But Nadal looked like Nadal while dismantling Ferrer and Murray in Paris. Even Djokovic probably wouldn’t have chased down the numerous inside-out cross-court forehand winners Nadal nailed against Murray.
Djokovic’s Presence Can Be Decisive
Of course, the presence of Djokovic on the other side of the net can have an effect on even Nadal. Djokovic made big-hitting Ernests Gulbis look like a schoolboy in Friday’s semfinals.
Gulbis might have the game to challenge for the top, but hardly the mental approach needed for long-term success. Gulbis wasn’t scared of Djokovic. Maybe, he should have been.
But for most of the meaningful matches in the Nadal-Djokovic rivalry, the presence of Nadal on the other side of the net has had as great or even greater impact on the outcome than Djokovic’s.
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James Beck is the long-time tennis columnist for the Charleston (S.C.) Post and Courier newspaper. He can be reached at Jamesbecktennis@gmail.com
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