RedClayFan
Rookie
Now that the dust has settled and Novak Djokovic has cemented his place as the unquestionable, undisputed GOAT of tennis we must revisit history critically to understand how we got it all so wrong. You see, fellow fedal bros, I too was blind. I was blinded by Big Nike. Blinded by the paid media and phoney puff pieces put out there. Blinded by the racism of Western journalists who couldn't stand to see him succeed. Blinded by my own subconscious biases and prejudices. However, seeing the Serbian Superman lift his 23rd grand slam trophy last week made me realise how wrong I've been all this time. How the Nolefam, for all their flaws, were so very right.
Nolefam... I take it all back. I apologise. I was wrong. I will say it right here and now: Novak Djokovic is the greatest, most accomplished, most charismatic, electric, athletic, skilful athlete to have ever graced the earth. He is without equal in all aspects. On and off the court. His accomplishments are a testament to the great nation of Serbia and all its people. I can only hope that one day my children will have such a hero to look up to. I envy you.
Novak is a man who deserves to have his story retold. We must move on from the villain arch that the western media cabal has tried hopelessly to foist on him. To know Novak is to love Novak. Nick Kygrios, his one-time biggest hater, is now his biggest fangirl, often fawning over him on social media and asking if he can have dinner together. His love for him only grew after losing a Wimbeldon final to him. A testament to the intimidating power and presence of Djokovic and his ability to enfeeble his enemies. There are countless anecdotes from fans and players who can attest to the presence and love that Novak brings when you're around him. He is a pure man. A man whose only flaw is being too trusting of the evil forces of the world. Forces that tried to use him as a punching bag. But not any more...
As the greatest athlete to have ever lived, Novak stands unrivalled. He is the equivalent of Michael Jordan if he were competing with Kobe and Lebron at the same time and still won 6 rings. He is Lewis Hamilton if he won all his titles despite competing against Ayrton, Schumacher, and Verstappen in equal machinery. He is a man who has re-written the history books and shown the world that good can triumph over evil.
Like so many of you, I have been struggling a quiet struggle. One we all felt in our hearts and stomachs, but which we tried our best to deny. Greatness was always synonymous with Roger Federer. Greatness was the rivalry with Nadal. Greatness was the records that would stand the test of time. Their epic matches were to be ones we could show our kids and say "I was there" or "I saw that" that "These two men were the greatest tennis players ever. I wish you were there too, son.".
As the Great Serb steamrolled his way through record after record, doing so like some sort of tennis T1000, I felt a growing sense of urgency to maintain their greatness in my mind. But if the achievements weren't the greatness, what was it? The movement? The "grace"? Intangible qualities that were impossible to use as a measure for greatest to begin with?
On Sunday I couldn't go on with my denial and delusions any longer. I've tried too long to protect my ego. Andy Roddick was right. Novak Djokovic is the greatest of all time. I wanted those moments of seeing Fedal win be moments I could tell me children about as the time I saw the greatest of all time. It pained me to think their records could be broken so soon. That they would become mere nobodies. As irrelevant as Pete Sampras is today to an up and coming junior. If I could have my time again I would have been cheering Earth's mightiest warrior on loudly and proudly, enjoying his rise like the Nolefam, not worrying and fretting like the insecure Fedal bro I used to be.
I see now that Srdjan too was a victim of a maligned press corps. If I should ever be so blessed as to have a son like Novak, I too would surely be overcome with passionate moments such as his.
The thing about Novak though is that he is not just an athlete like Federer or Nadal. Novak Djokovic embodies the highest qualities of virtue and selflessness. Novak was there for the world when it needed him most. He refused to bend or break in the face of COVID. The ball lady at the 2020 US open was his Judas. He was tried, persecuted, and deported in a Christ-like manner, only for his resurrection this year, coming back to win it all.
Novak promotes clean eating, mental toughness, love of God, and what it means to be the ultimate sigma male. Federer on the other hand is a corporate stooge, only there to sell you sneakers, champagne, and watches. Yes, he had a nice backhand, however tennis is about so much more. Most importantly, it's about winning, and Novak has won the most. Novak is the best. The greatest.
Novak, I'm sorry. Novak, forgive me.
Amen.
Nolefam... I take it all back. I apologise. I was wrong. I will say it right here and now: Novak Djokovic is the greatest, most accomplished, most charismatic, electric, athletic, skilful athlete to have ever graced the earth. He is without equal in all aspects. On and off the court. His accomplishments are a testament to the great nation of Serbia and all its people. I can only hope that one day my children will have such a hero to look up to. I envy you.
Novak is a man who deserves to have his story retold. We must move on from the villain arch that the western media cabal has tried hopelessly to foist on him. To know Novak is to love Novak. Nick Kygrios, his one-time biggest hater, is now his biggest fangirl, often fawning over him on social media and asking if he can have dinner together. His love for him only grew after losing a Wimbeldon final to him. A testament to the intimidating power and presence of Djokovic and his ability to enfeeble his enemies. There are countless anecdotes from fans and players who can attest to the presence and love that Novak brings when you're around him. He is a pure man. A man whose only flaw is being too trusting of the evil forces of the world. Forces that tried to use him as a punching bag. But not any more...
As the greatest athlete to have ever lived, Novak stands unrivalled. He is the equivalent of Michael Jordan if he were competing with Kobe and Lebron at the same time and still won 6 rings. He is Lewis Hamilton if he won all his titles despite competing against Ayrton, Schumacher, and Verstappen in equal machinery. He is a man who has re-written the history books and shown the world that good can triumph over evil.
Like so many of you, I have been struggling a quiet struggle. One we all felt in our hearts and stomachs, but which we tried our best to deny. Greatness was always synonymous with Roger Federer. Greatness was the rivalry with Nadal. Greatness was the records that would stand the test of time. Their epic matches were to be ones we could show our kids and say "I was there" or "I saw that" that "These two men were the greatest tennis players ever. I wish you were there too, son.".
As the Great Serb steamrolled his way through record after record, doing so like some sort of tennis T1000, I felt a growing sense of urgency to maintain their greatness in my mind. But if the achievements weren't the greatness, what was it? The movement? The "grace"? Intangible qualities that were impossible to use as a measure for greatest to begin with?
On Sunday I couldn't go on with my denial and delusions any longer. I've tried too long to protect my ego. Andy Roddick was right. Novak Djokovic is the greatest of all time. I wanted those moments of seeing Fedal win be moments I could tell me children about as the time I saw the greatest of all time. It pained me to think their records could be broken so soon. That they would become mere nobodies. As irrelevant as Pete Sampras is today to an up and coming junior. If I could have my time again I would have been cheering Earth's mightiest warrior on loudly and proudly, enjoying his rise like the Nolefam, not worrying and fretting like the insecure Fedal bro I used to be.
I see now that Srdjan too was a victim of a maligned press corps. If I should ever be so blessed as to have a son like Novak, I too would surely be overcome with passionate moments such as his.
The thing about Novak though is that he is not just an athlete like Federer or Nadal. Novak Djokovic embodies the highest qualities of virtue and selflessness. Novak was there for the world when it needed him most. He refused to bend or break in the face of COVID. The ball lady at the 2020 US open was his Judas. He was tried, persecuted, and deported in a Christ-like manner, only for his resurrection this year, coming back to win it all.
Novak promotes clean eating, mental toughness, love of God, and what it means to be the ultimate sigma male. Federer on the other hand is a corporate stooge, only there to sell you sneakers, champagne, and watches. Yes, he had a nice backhand, however tennis is about so much more. Most importantly, it's about winning, and Novak has won the most. Novak is the best. The greatest.
Novak, I'm sorry. Novak, forgive me.
Amen.
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