Novak Djokovic - Nole

I read somewhere that Nole had to see himself on the news to believe he has won Wimbledon.

I know how he has been feeling, because I have been doing the same almost every day. When we desire something so strongly and wait for it for so long, when it actually happens, we can't believe it.

So here, a week later is a little tribute to Novak Djokovic, new world number one and the Wimbledon champion:


I suppose most of you know by now that winning Wimbledon and becoming number one was Novak's childhood dream: 4 year old Novak watched Sampras lift that trophy and the memory etched itself in his heart.
But let's be honest, how many little players have had the same experience, how many thousands of boys and girls started off the long road full of sacrifices, sweat and tears and gave their dream up somewhere on the way: some lost the desire, some didn't have enough talent, some were happy with smaller goals....but Novak and his family persevered through unusual, much more challenging hardships:
Did you know that there still is no grass courts in Serbia, or that he had to train through bombing raids in the swimming pools converted into indoor tennis courts (yes, he did the same as Ana Ivanovic, in fact, they did it together), or that his father had to borrow money from street lenders at 11-12% monthly interest rates?
And that was just to meet a fraction of the cost Novak's training started to incur.
There they were, a family with a talented boy in the middle of a war, in the whirlwind of daily struggles just to put bread on the table, people around them struggling to survive and meet basic needs.
I'd say unusual and character building experience, one that makes you mature and responsible before your young years.

One of the striking qualities Novak has is his outstanding athleticism: he is one lean and mean machine at the moment, but it has not always been so.
Everyone will remember the infamous retirements: Monte Carlo, Australian Open, Roddick's cheap digs at US Open...It must have been extremely frustrating for Novak to be in possession of such phenomenal tennis talent and be hindered by his lack of health and fitness: officially known as "breathing problems", they were finally properly diagnosed and treated as gluten intolerance last year.
The result has been astonishing, to say the least: he is now probably the fittest man on tour: lean and light on his feet, improving his already excellent movement to the point where Tsonga finds him "everywhere".

Tennis talent and his game have more or less been the same, which is why I always believed that he was the best: Novak has the unique, unrelenting, unstopping style of play, he is at his best the anti-counter-puncher; Simon Barnes from The Times has observed this very, very well (I don't think I have noticed anyone see it, which is quite amazing, bearing in mind those people are actually paid to do it) and branded it "madness", he has rightly also "discovered" Nole's eyes, the fire and burning, burning desire they flash on the court.
That is something you cannot learn, teach or buy, you are born with it.

Others were preferring to see the lighter, relieving side of him - The Djoker, it suited the Federer-Nadal duopoly era. He burst on the scene in 2007 and let the world know he was planning to be number one, and oooooh, Somebody did not like it....so Nole waited...and imitated...and stripped...and sang....and danced...and burned inside...those were the frustrating, difficult years.

And then Something changed....or rather, nothing changed....everything finally clicked into place, in the fullness of time.

Novak started winning, and winning, and winning.....the word Streak was used very often. Nole became the man who forgot how to lose...until he himself believed the dream and lost.

Oh, everything was back to normal...the tennis world could exhale....Federer was still the Real and only number one, and Nadal...well...he just won Roland Garros and we know how things went after that in the last couple of years.....

Nole was forgotten so quickly. And ignored. And brushed under the carpet.

But he refused to disappear. He beat his fears and won against Tsonga.

Surely, against the mighty Spaniard, he could not repeat the feat....not in the best of 5 sets...not in a slam...the world was not ready!!!

But Nole was ready, and I was ready.

I suppose the way I was "escorted" out of Centre court last week felt a bit like all the years Novak was not included in the real conversation. The doors have always been closed for the likes of us.

I went back home in tears.

Nole stayed and won.

It will take time to believe it. Wimbledon 2011 DVD has been pre-ordered....and Nole is still the best

Great post Nitb, I really think Novak's story is quite interesting. Especially the part of his father borrowing money at 10-15 percent a month early on in Novak's career to send Novak around to tournaments and get him the best coaches. Right now we Novak fans have a lot to be thankful for. But you know anything he accomplishes from here on out for me is gravy. I think he will accomplish more in the game but for me just seeing him win the biggest tournament in tennis, over the a legend of the game like Nadal, and to ascend to the number #1 is all the payoff I need. I keep checking the rankings obsessively to see Novak in there at the #1 spot, just to cheer me up.

"I keep checking the rankings obsessively to see Novak in there at the #1 spot, just to cheer me up. "

Me , too, I did the double-take first ti me I saw it. it's utterly UNREAL

Yeah, Nitb, seeing Novak's smiling face on top of the ranking charts is so nice, like watching a pretty girl in summer shorts wiggle up the street.

socal1976 wrote:Yeah, Nitb, seeing Novak's smiling face on top of the ranking charts is so nice, like watching a pretty girl in summer shorts wiggle up the street.

I'll have to believe you on the latter

Nole is certainly ready, let's hope he realizes another dream in New York and afterwards gets his 3rd aussie open

As a large Djokovic fan, I'm delighted that the big serb is number one, very well deserved based on his year thus far, let's hope he can continue it for the rest of the year and beyond!

Sainty, I think that he will continue playing at a high level. This year and next year for sure I see him being a serious contender for every single slam and tournament he enters. He has proven he can win any tournament on any surface.

I agree socal.

If he sustains his level of performance he will be up there! Obviously form affects in any sport so no doubt there will be a dip somewhere along the line. That will be his big test, to see how he recovers.

But for now, I'll happily sit back and watch him reel in the masses of plaudits heading his way.

Am a new member to this group - been more of a reader of the erstwhile BBC 606 than an active contributor. From there, I thought 606v2 was a natural progression.

Though I dont intend to become an active poster, thought I would introduce myself anyways. As my login name would suggest that I am a die-hard fan of the TMF but may be just a level or two below Tenez in madness:).

But of all the fans that I have seen on 606 and now here, NITB takes the cake. Kudos maam - I somehow respect you for being a fanatic fan but maintaining dignity always and rarely have I seen you engage in maligning other players.

But just curious, were you really 'escorted' out of the court - what did you do . Secondly, you do get a little carried away, right? Sampras didnt lift Wimbledon trophy till Novak was 6 so the first memory of tennis for Novak really could not have been Pete winning it but what the heck, it goes wonderfully well with what you wanted to say anyways

Welcome Fedex-the-best,.

Who were you on 606?

"But just curious, were you really 'escorted' out of the court - what did you do"

https://www.606v2.com/t8468-guys-i-m-in-central-court

Noleisthebest, what a wonderful tribute that is! Do you think I should post my tribute to Nole I wrote after the AO again on this forum>

Welcome Fedex the best:

Though I dont intend to become an active poster, thought I would introduce myself anyways. As my login name would suggest that I am a die-hard fan of the TMF but may be just a level or two below Tenez in madness:).

While you are here, I'd suggest you meditate on the below phrase from a great author.

"The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool."
-William Shakespeare

Tennisanorak wrote:Noleisthebest, what a wonderful tribute that is! Do you think I should post my tribute to Nole I wrote after the AO again on this forum>

Please do !!!

Please don't!

Nitb, I read the full forum of your Finals debacle. Apologies but the whole thing sounds funny. Poor you ...But the good thing is that your man won, right?
I was with the same name at the old 606 but yeah, you wont know me - I just posted couple of times when Fed did something fabulous.

Tenez, no idea what that phrase from Shakespeare means but coming from you, it must be something good, I guess . Of all the time, I have read the posts at 606 or even here, I never could disagree with you and I dont intend to start it now

Fedex_the_best wrote:Nitb, I read the full forum of your Finals debacle. Apologies but the whole thing sounds funny. Poor you ...But the good thing is that your man won, right?
I was with the same name at the old 606 but yeah, you wont know me - I just posted couple of times when Fed did something fabulous.

Tenez, no idea what that phrase from Shakespeare means but coming from you, it must be something good, I guess . Of all the time, I have read the posts at 606 or even here, I never could disagree with you and I dont intend to start it now

I know...If it hadn't been comical it would've been tragic (not the other way round as I normally say). Nole winning wiped all my sadness out...eeeasy!
Now , a week later (and it feels like at least a month), it all looks like a dream...
I've also got my self-addressed envelope ready to post to SW10 on the 1st of August, see what happens !