The sky is still the limit for Novak Djokovic. He didn’t just defeat Andy Murray in Sunday’s French Open final. The Serbian Wonder crushed Murray.
Forget the first set when Djokovic tried to hit every line instead of win the set. He regained his tennis senses late in the first set, and never lost them again. Of course, Djokovic had trouble closing out this part of tennis history. Murray tried his hardest in those last three games to spoil it for Novak. Murray broke him when he served for history at 5-2 in the fourth set, and Murray then held service to delay the celebration.
NO DENYING DJOKOVIC HIS PLACE IN HISTORY
There was no denying Djokovic in the 10th game even when he wasted double match point, double faulting to allow Murray to get back to deuce. In the end, it was 3-6, 6-1, 6-3, 6-4.
Yes, Djokovic can catch Roger Federer. Maybe even next year.
With 12 Grand Slam titles, and five of the last six, Djokovic just needs to win Wimbledon and the U.S. Open this year to pull even with Rafa Nadal’s and Pete Sampras’ 14 major titles, and then repeat what he accomplished in 2015 with three major titles to pull even with Federer’s record 17 Grand Slam titles.
That would put Djokovic even with Federer while he’s still 30 years old, with the 2018 Australian Open in reserve for No. 18 before he turns 31.
But, first, let the 29-year-old court magician enjoy his new club — the career Grand Slam club — with fellow comrades Federer and Nadal, and a few others from the past.
ONLY ONE THING MIGHT DELAY NOVAK’S FEDERER CHASE
Perhaps, the only player capable of throwing a wrench in Djokovic’s party and plans for overtaking Federer might be Nadal. And that’s only if Nadal can overcome his string of injuries long enough to get his game back in gear.
Nadal’s game appeared to be there when he arrived in Paris. No one seemed to know about the problem with the left wrist, the one that puts more RPMs on Nadal’s forehands than anyone in the history of the game.
At this point, Nadal will be lucky to ever mount another serious challenge in a Grand Slam. In reality, he may never play again. The left wrist is that critical to his game.
Djokovic just needs to stay healthy for two or three more years to be sure of surpassing Federer. And although Djokovic plays long matches, his body doesn’t appear to take the wear and tear punishment that Nadal’s body absorbs.
DJOKOVIC TOO GOOD FOR MURRAY
When history is on the line, Novak Djokovic is just too good for Andy Murray.
Murray may be his own worst enemy in such situations as Sunday in Paris. He played lights out in the first set. At least, it looked that way, but maybe only became Djokovic was committing so many errors while going for the lines.
Djokovic was in total control of history once he got the first set out of the way. His game, movement and mental toughness were just too superior for Murray to match. The Scotsman out-thought himself after the first set. He switched to more of a defensive scheme in the second and third sets, and Djokovic finally got control of his ground strokes and first serve.
The Murray party was over.
Murray was toying with history, and he soon became just another toy in the Joker’s box.
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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