AO13
Hall of Fame
How do I feel as a longtime Novak fan right now? Well, we have to go way back, to the beginning. It'll be a long ride, stick with me folks...
First time I heard about Novak was roughly 20 years ago. I was a kid, but a kid who lives for sport - football, tennis, basketball.
So there is a tennis player from my country who's actually really good, but he lacks support from within the country to try to pursuit the top. The Great Britain TF hears about that and approaches Novak, a talented young player, but he refuses their offer and stays in Serbia. Okay, I'll keep an eye on him.
I wasn't watching tennis much then as I am now, but once Novak started entering the later stages of GS, he got my attention. So 2007 happened when Novak reached SF of RG and W losing to Nadal, and USO finals, only to lose to great Roger Federer easily 3:0. Nice results, maybe Novak really can win a slam one day, if he doesn't face Rafa or Fed in the SF or F.
And then, AO08 and his maiden slam. 20 years young, but already reached at least SFs in every GS. And he got the title by beating unbeatable Fed in SF. Maybe this guy could get couple more titles actually?
Bad years in 09 and 10, retirements, sure he reached QF and SF in GS, but he lacks that final blow to get trophies. I thought yeah, that was just a nice run he had on AO08, Fed is the greatest, Rafa second best, they are top of the mountain. Novak already has the best ever career of Serbia's tennis players, surely he'll win some more tournaments, and that is nice.
All hell loose in 2011. This guy is a machine. He seems unbeatable now. 43 wins in a row, 3 slams in a year. What the hell is going on bre?! 4 slams at 24 years, damn, I'm proud of him. Yeah, Fed is the GOAT with 17, but Novak could surely cap a few more slams to try to reach to 7 or 8 and become maybe top 10 of all time?
He continues in 2012. Gets the third slam in a row, 4 out of last 5. RG finals, seems he can't win there, Nadal is the god of clay. Won a slam in 2013 and 2014 with good run on other slams. 7 slams total, he becomes consistent performer, beats both Rafa and Fed on many tournaments and all surfaces, this guy is actually the 3rd best in the era of two best ever. 2015 knocks on the door, Novak is in peak at 27, can't dream but thinking he could get to 10 or more slams till the end of his career, which would probably be in his 33s or 34s.
And then 2011 happens again, but in 2015. Can he be even better? I believe he can and yes he was. NCYGS, first RG, 12 GS after winning RG16. There he is just behind Rafa and Pete with 14 and Fed with 17. Can he actually be the GOAT? Man, I think he can...
And boy was I wrong then. It seems Novak went to dark side. Okay, there was a lot of emotional discharge after winning much wanted first RG trophy, helding all four GS in the same time, getting so close to his arch rivals. But the Pepe Imaz controversy, elbow injury, Novak losing weight, looking like he lost his way also...
So the rest of 2016 to june 2018 was awful for Novak fans. For me, Fed then cemented his status as the GOAT with his 20th GS on AO18 at 36 years. Rafa claimed his 11th RG (my goodness) and 17th GS, clay god doing what a god does. Rafa is close to Roger, but Fed is the GOAT for me, the guy has done it all plus he plays aesthetically most pleasing tennis. I thought Novak is finished winning slams. He's 31 and his underlying elbow problem, followed with his new way of life, won't get him back to winning track. Great career, he could've done more, but he and his fans can be proud of his career during the Big 3 era.
And then, history started getting it's shape.
Out of nowhere, after losing in RG18 QF against qualifier Cecchinato, Novak beats Rafa in W18 SF and wins the title, his 4th W and 13th, beating comfortably Anderson in the finals. I was on the bus during the game, travelling to academy from my hometown, and I'll never forget that moment. A glimpse of faith that he can continue to fight for history, that he can be what he was maybe destined to be, that he can reach the unreachable. Go on Novak, shame on me that I didn't believe in you, but I will now (remember this, because it'll happen again), just continue to play like this!
Sure he did! 14th on USO18, 15th on AO19, he's 3rd greatest of all time! Yeah he is 32 soon, but he is physically unbelieavable again, maybe he can get another RG for multiple career slam, another NCYGS and with few more titles come close, tie or even surpass Fed! Personally, I don't believe it'll happen, but let's see. He's a beast again. Lost to Thiem in RG19 SF, damn it seems that title is unreachable to him...
And then, for me, the crucial moment of Novak's career. W19 final.
The greatest on grass, the greatest of all time against the challenger for the GOAT status. 37 years old Fed, he's old, Novak beat him 2 times in the finals already, still I don't know why but I'm afraid... Novak gets the first set barely, Fed gets second. Novak 2:1 after another tie break, thank God he's clutch, Fed is playing unbelievable. 2:2, Fed is really playing better than Novak, I fear Novak could falter... With Fed going for 21st, Novak staying on 15 at 32, the slam race is over. Last set. I remember everything about this match. Novak finally gets the break, 4:2 final set. This is it. But Fed comes back. Damn. It's 7:7, Novak serves and Fed breaks. I'm speechless. 8:7 Fed, serving for the trophy, serving aces, dancing of the court at almost 38 years of age. 2 MP, 40:15. I know what happened before, but this is it, so at that moment I say it out loud to my friends: "Roger Federer is the greatest of all time". I didn't believe in Novak, again, even though I said I'll never again doubt in him. Silence. First one saved. Second one, good serve, Fed goes to the net after forehand, I'm shook. But the other guy is not. Forehand winner, deuce. My God Novak you psychopath, maybe you can pull it again. Deuce, advantage Novak. Re-freaking-break, 8:8, we're at beginning again. I hold my head in disbelief, and I remember saying it then like a maniac: "This guy is insane". 11:11, Novak serves, break point Fed. God not again. Novak reaches to the net at makes a clumsy volley winner and gets the game. Oh my God. 12:12, super tie break.
And then I knew. He'll win this, the lunatic will do it. And so he did. After saving two MPs, after Fed being the better player the whole match, after listening how the crowd backs Fed from the beginning, alone there on the court, he beat Fed and won his 5th W and 16th GS. And then, not ever an hour after saying that thing about Fed, I said it: "Novak Djokovic is the greatest of all time". And no matter what'll happen in future, for me, he'll always be the best, even if left behind in slams by his rivals. For me, W19 final is the best match of all time.
The journey continues, I firmly believe now Novak can surpass Fed's slam count. Bad USO19, okay. AO20 title. 17th, he's close. Covid happens, messess everything up. RG20 final in august against Nadal. This could be history defining. Nadal wins easily, gets the 19th GS, adds another RG to collection (13). God. Of. Clay. Could he be the greatest?
2021 comes, one slam is a goal, two would be nice. He gets 18th at AO21, he's close. RG21 SF against Rafa. I believe in Novak, but Rafa is unmatchable there. He wins it. My God, only 3rd defeat for Rafa there, two times coming from Novak. If he loses the final now against Tsitsipas it'll be all in vain... After a great comeback, he finally achieves the multiple slam career and he gets the number 19. We're there! CYGS on the line and comfortable W title, first time ever we're tied at 20. Yeah, Novak will get the CYGS, acquire the 21th and become officially the GOAT. Not that he already is that in my mind!
Daniil hits a huge blow. What a shame, that was a great chance. I was sad, but not much because I knew he'll win more. But what about Rafa, will he win more?
Horrible start of 2022. Novak is denied by government to play there because he didn't take the vaccine. Oh boy, not controversy again. I had 2018 in my mind. Rafa wins AO after fantastic comeback against Daniil, obtaining the multiple career slam. He has 13 RG, but 21 total with 2 AO, 2 W and 4 USO... He has a case. But it all depends on Novak. Rafa wins another RG, it's a video game to him. 14 and 22. He's got the lead. It's reachable, but Novak is 35 and he needs to start winning asap, so W22 is a must because he can't play on USO. And he does it, got 7th tying Pete on the list. Can he tie Fed?
We finally get to 2023 and it is redemption time on Novak's soil. And it was emotional. With 10 AOs, he tied Rafa at 22, Novak is there finally. Can he do it?
RG marks the history for Novak. He beats Alcaraz, who'll dominate tennis in next 10 years surely. At 36 years and 20 days, he beats Ruud in the final, achieves triple career slam, getting that 3rd RG trophy and 23rd GS title, becoming officially, at last, the GOAT. There is no more denying it, and this is not the end I am sure. I would love if he would win few more, 25 seems like a nice round number, especially because he'll break Margaret Court's 24 record then. He is 36, but physically the most prepared 36 year old in the world.
I've been blessed to live in the era of the three greatest tennis players of all time, but only one can be THE best. And I have been lucky that my favorite player is that. You're magnificent tennis player Novak, and most of all, despite many not seeing that, you are an amazing human being. Thank you for all the memories for all this years, in my eyes and eyes of many others, you went from one slam wonder, to consistent slam contender, to a serial winner, and to the best in the end. Who would've known that 15 years ago...
I wish you and your family all the best, a little bit more titles in this year or two and then great and peaceful life afterwards. You're almost there brother. You'll live forever through your legacy.
First time I heard about Novak was roughly 20 years ago. I was a kid, but a kid who lives for sport - football, tennis, basketball.
So there is a tennis player from my country who's actually really good, but he lacks support from within the country to try to pursuit the top. The Great Britain TF hears about that and approaches Novak, a talented young player, but he refuses their offer and stays in Serbia. Okay, I'll keep an eye on him.
I wasn't watching tennis much then as I am now, but once Novak started entering the later stages of GS, he got my attention. So 2007 happened when Novak reached SF of RG and W losing to Nadal, and USO finals, only to lose to great Roger Federer easily 3:0. Nice results, maybe Novak really can win a slam one day, if he doesn't face Rafa or Fed in the SF or F.
And then, AO08 and his maiden slam. 20 years young, but already reached at least SFs in every GS. And he got the title by beating unbeatable Fed in SF. Maybe this guy could get couple more titles actually?
Bad years in 09 and 10, retirements, sure he reached QF and SF in GS, but he lacks that final blow to get trophies. I thought yeah, that was just a nice run he had on AO08, Fed is the greatest, Rafa second best, they are top of the mountain. Novak already has the best ever career of Serbia's tennis players, surely he'll win some more tournaments, and that is nice.
All hell loose in 2011. This guy is a machine. He seems unbeatable now. 43 wins in a row, 3 slams in a year. What the hell is going on bre?! 4 slams at 24 years, damn, I'm proud of him. Yeah, Fed is the GOAT with 17, but Novak could surely cap a few more slams to try to reach to 7 or 8 and become maybe top 10 of all time?
He continues in 2012. Gets the third slam in a row, 4 out of last 5. RG finals, seems he can't win there, Nadal is the god of clay. Won a slam in 2013 and 2014 with good run on other slams. 7 slams total, he becomes consistent performer, beats both Rafa and Fed on many tournaments and all surfaces, this guy is actually the 3rd best in the era of two best ever. 2015 knocks on the door, Novak is in peak at 27, can't dream but thinking he could get to 10 or more slams till the end of his career, which would probably be in his 33s or 34s.
And then 2011 happens again, but in 2015. Can he be even better? I believe he can and yes he was. NCYGS, first RG, 12 GS after winning RG16. There he is just behind Rafa and Pete with 14 and Fed with 17. Can he actually be the GOAT? Man, I think he can...
And boy was I wrong then. It seems Novak went to dark side. Okay, there was a lot of emotional discharge after winning much wanted first RG trophy, helding all four GS in the same time, getting so close to his arch rivals. But the Pepe Imaz controversy, elbow injury, Novak losing weight, looking like he lost his way also...
So the rest of 2016 to june 2018 was awful for Novak fans. For me, Fed then cemented his status as the GOAT with his 20th GS on AO18 at 36 years. Rafa claimed his 11th RG (my goodness) and 17th GS, clay god doing what a god does. Rafa is close to Roger, but Fed is the GOAT for me, the guy has done it all plus he plays aesthetically most pleasing tennis. I thought Novak is finished winning slams. He's 31 and his underlying elbow problem, followed with his new way of life, won't get him back to winning track. Great career, he could've done more, but he and his fans can be proud of his career during the Big 3 era.
And then, history started getting it's shape.
Out of nowhere, after losing in RG18 QF against qualifier Cecchinato, Novak beats Rafa in W18 SF and wins the title, his 4th W and 13th, beating comfortably Anderson in the finals. I was on the bus during the game, travelling to academy from my hometown, and I'll never forget that moment. A glimpse of faith that he can continue to fight for history, that he can be what he was maybe destined to be, that he can reach the unreachable. Go on Novak, shame on me that I didn't believe in you, but I will now (remember this, because it'll happen again), just continue to play like this!
Sure he did! 14th on USO18, 15th on AO19, he's 3rd greatest of all time! Yeah he is 32 soon, but he is physically unbelieavable again, maybe he can get another RG for multiple career slam, another NCYGS and with few more titles come close, tie or even surpass Fed! Personally, I don't believe it'll happen, but let's see. He's a beast again. Lost to Thiem in RG19 SF, damn it seems that title is unreachable to him...
And then, for me, the crucial moment of Novak's career. W19 final.
The greatest on grass, the greatest of all time against the challenger for the GOAT status. 37 years old Fed, he's old, Novak beat him 2 times in the finals already, still I don't know why but I'm afraid... Novak gets the first set barely, Fed gets second. Novak 2:1 after another tie break, thank God he's clutch, Fed is playing unbelievable. 2:2, Fed is really playing better than Novak, I fear Novak could falter... With Fed going for 21st, Novak staying on 15 at 32, the slam race is over. Last set. I remember everything about this match. Novak finally gets the break, 4:2 final set. This is it. But Fed comes back. Damn. It's 7:7, Novak serves and Fed breaks. I'm speechless. 8:7 Fed, serving for the trophy, serving aces, dancing of the court at almost 38 years of age. 2 MP, 40:15. I know what happened before, but this is it, so at that moment I say it out loud to my friends: "Roger Federer is the greatest of all time". I didn't believe in Novak, again, even though I said I'll never again doubt in him. Silence. First one saved. Second one, good serve, Fed goes to the net after forehand, I'm shook. But the other guy is not. Forehand winner, deuce. My God Novak you psychopath, maybe you can pull it again. Deuce, advantage Novak. Re-freaking-break, 8:8, we're at beginning again. I hold my head in disbelief, and I remember saying it then like a maniac: "This guy is insane". 11:11, Novak serves, break point Fed. God not again. Novak reaches to the net at makes a clumsy volley winner and gets the game. Oh my God. 12:12, super tie break.
And then I knew. He'll win this, the lunatic will do it. And so he did. After saving two MPs, after Fed being the better player the whole match, after listening how the crowd backs Fed from the beginning, alone there on the court, he beat Fed and won his 5th W and 16th GS. And then, not ever an hour after saying that thing about Fed, I said it: "Novak Djokovic is the greatest of all time". And no matter what'll happen in future, for me, he'll always be the best, even if left behind in slams by his rivals. For me, W19 final is the best match of all time.
The journey continues, I firmly believe now Novak can surpass Fed's slam count. Bad USO19, okay. AO20 title. 17th, he's close. Covid happens, messess everything up. RG20 final in august against Nadal. This could be history defining. Nadal wins easily, gets the 19th GS, adds another RG to collection (13). God. Of. Clay. Could he be the greatest?
2021 comes, one slam is a goal, two would be nice. He gets 18th at AO21, he's close. RG21 SF against Rafa. I believe in Novak, but Rafa is unmatchable there. He wins it. My God, only 3rd defeat for Rafa there, two times coming from Novak. If he loses the final now against Tsitsipas it'll be all in vain... After a great comeback, he finally achieves the multiple slam career and he gets the number 19. We're there! CYGS on the line and comfortable W title, first time ever we're tied at 20. Yeah, Novak will get the CYGS, acquire the 21th and become officially the GOAT. Not that he already is that in my mind!
Daniil hits a huge blow. What a shame, that was a great chance. I was sad, but not much because I knew he'll win more. But what about Rafa, will he win more?
Horrible start of 2022. Novak is denied by government to play there because he didn't take the vaccine. Oh boy, not controversy again. I had 2018 in my mind. Rafa wins AO after fantastic comeback against Daniil, obtaining the multiple career slam. He has 13 RG, but 21 total with 2 AO, 2 W and 4 USO... He has a case. But it all depends on Novak. Rafa wins another RG, it's a video game to him. 14 and 22. He's got the lead. It's reachable, but Novak is 35 and he needs to start winning asap, so W22 is a must because he can't play on USO. And he does it, got 7th tying Pete on the list. Can he tie Fed?
We finally get to 2023 and it is redemption time on Novak's soil. And it was emotional. With 10 AOs, he tied Rafa at 22, Novak is there finally. Can he do it?
RG marks the history for Novak. He beats Alcaraz, who'll dominate tennis in next 10 years surely. At 36 years and 20 days, he beats Ruud in the final, achieves triple career slam, getting that 3rd RG trophy and 23rd GS title, becoming officially, at last, the GOAT. There is no more denying it, and this is not the end I am sure. I would love if he would win few more, 25 seems like a nice round number, especially because he'll break Margaret Court's 24 record then. He is 36, but physically the most prepared 36 year old in the world.
I've been blessed to live in the era of the three greatest tennis players of all time, but only one can be THE best. And I have been lucky that my favorite player is that. You're magnificent tennis player Novak, and most of all, despite many not seeing that, you are an amazing human being. Thank you for all the memories for all this years, in my eyes and eyes of many others, you went from one slam wonder, to consistent slam contender, to a serial winner, and to the best in the end. Who would've known that 15 years ago...
I wish you and your family all the best, a little bit more titles in this year or two and then great and peaceful life afterwards. You're almost there brother. You'll live forever through your legacy.
