TENNIS – This Wimbledon championship was one of Novak Djokovic’s most impressive victories. Roger Federer played a terrific match, even though he’s less than a month away from celebrating his 34th birthday. Unlike Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka who appeared to play for games or tiebreakers they never reached as they fumbled along the way, Djokovic only flinched in a second set that went to a tiebreaker. James Beck
NOVAK LEAVES NO DOUBT ABOUT NO. 1
After splitting a pair of tiebreakers with Federer, Djokovic left no doubt in the third and four sets who was the best player at this year’s Wimbledon.
In the process, Djokovic is getting closer to making his own case for inclusion in the greatest players ever chatter. Three or four more Grand Slam titles added to his current total of nine would thrust Djokovic in the middle of the conversation, alongside the likes of Federer, Rod Laver, Rafa Nadal and Pete Sampras.
DJOKOVIC HAS TIME TO STAMP HIS OWN SEAL OF GREATNESS
Having just turned 28 years old less than two months ago, Djokovic has time to stamp his own name on the list, especially considering that only he and Nadal have won nine of the last 15 Grand Slam titles, and only Murray and Wawrinka with two each have won multiple major titles the last four years. Federer and Marin Cilic own the other two major titles since the start of 2012.
Federer never gave up on Sunday as he unleashed a barrage of brilliant shots at Djokovic, only to suffer a 7-6 (1), 6-7 (10), 6-4, 6-3 setback in the Wimbledon final. The Swiss great simply couldn’t match Djokovic off the ground. Too many unforced errors.
FEDERER’S SERVE INFLUENCED BY NOVAK
Of course, Federer’s serve wasn’t working the way it was in a straight-set win over Murray in the semifinals when his serve was virtually untouchable.
But then again, Murray isn’t in Djokovic’s league when it comes to quick starts and movement against an opponent’s serve. So, Djokovic obviously had something to do with Federer trying to put a little extra on his first serves.
THIS ONE COULD HAVE BEEN A THREE-SETTER
Djokovic actually should have won this one in straight sets as he carelessly hit a forehand long with a set point in the 10th game of the second set and then had six more set points, two on his serve, in the tiebreaker he lost, 12-10.
But you have to credit Federer for the way he staged an all-out assault on Djokovic after falling behind 6-3 in the second-set tiebreaker. He was the Federer of old, blending his marvelous quick-hitting talents with his seasoned experience to deal Djokovic what at the time looked like a serious blow to his chances of repeating as the Wimbledon champion.
In reality, Djokovic was still the same player who should have been up two sets to none at that point. Djokovic wore out Federer in the last two sets with his awesome serving and even more awesome court coverage.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN NEW YORK
Where does all of this leave the men’s game heading to New York for the final Grand Slam event of the year? Novak has to be the favorite.
But in the summer heat of Arthur Ashe Stadium, anything can happen. Just look back to 2014 when the only fluke win in the last four years might have been Cilic’s title in the U.S. Open.
With that in mind, Wawrinka might be ready to step it up in another major after appearing to have dead feet on second-service returns against Richard Gasquet in the Wimbledon quarterfinals. The Swiss powerhouse will have to get his head back together and go for service returns rather than little chips that usually ended up in the net.
WAWRINKA EXPLOSIVENESS MIGHT RETURN
If Wawrinka brings the explosiveness in his game he demonstrated two years ago against Djokovic in the U.S. Open semifinals as well as in his two Grand Slam conquests, he certainly has to be among the top three or four contenders.
And even though it’s been a really off year for Nadal, surely the Spanish left-hander has been off somewhere practicing and searching for the secret that he possessed just a couple of years ago. If Nadal decides to play aggressively, rather than passively as he has most of the year, he has to be considered a threat in New York.
NADAL HAS NOTHING TO LOSE
It’s almost as if Nadal has nothing to lose these days. Some of the so-called experts are saying he is washed up.
But don’t count on it. He is still the same player, with the same capabilities he had when he won an Australian Open title and nearly won a couple more Down Under; won two U.S. Opens; and also captured an Olympic gold medal on hard courts in 2008.
Nadal is less than a year older than Djokovic.
Nadal just needs to step “inside” the lines and play aggressive tennis by going for his shots the way he did in his major conquests.
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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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