It’s time to call it for what it really is. Novak Djokovic’s 2021 season and potential CSG is by a large distant the tennis achievement with the biggest asterix attached to it.
Let’s start from the beginning of the year. At the Australian Open the Serb looked more then beatable. Let’s be honest, in any other era Djokovic would have lost before the final. Fritz should have ended him without a shadow of a doubt - I have a hard time seeing any Nole fan not agreeing here - and Zverev aka ”put myself in there maybe” had another US Open like choke. Zverev isn’t 19 or 20 anymore. He’s at an age where you’re supposed to be in your prime. Even Mr Walkman (Raonic) in his 2016 form would have put the hammer down on Djokovic.
In the final Djokovic faced Medvedev, the most in-form player on tour. The Russian turned into a little scared bunny who doesn’t know how to fight and couldn’t help but smile afterwards despite having lost in three humiliating sets with a 20+ match winning streak going into the match. Absolutely pathetic. Granted, Djokovic played a great final but Medvedev’s attitude and lack of fight is an embarrassment.
Nonetheless, Medvedev’s shameful performance shouldn’t even have mattered. Novak Djokovic in any other era wouldn’t have reached the final.
Let’s fast forward to RG. Djokovic survives Musetti after being behind 0-2. Musetti, aged 19(!!!!), retired without an injury at the end of the fifth set. I mean, come on, at this point I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. The only thing to conclude is that it was a joke. No wonder Djokovic offered him a first class seat for free on his private jet to Wimbledon.
”But Djokovic’s superb and super human win against Rafa in the semis!??”, I can already hear Djokovic fans screaming in their heads. Yes, the Rafael Nadal with a severe foot injury who could barely move the last 1,5 sets. On paper a great win but looking at it with context - especially after seeing how Nadal has struggled with even training and playing matches after RG - it is not that special. Federer would have had 4 DCGS should he dealt with this Rafa in 05, 06, 07 and 11. But luck was on Djokovic’s side just like in 2015 but then Wawrinka stood in the way in the end. It’s quite telling that Fed had to face demon versions of Nadal every time whereas Djokovic could stomp on the two worst versions of Rafa at RG.
In the final Tsitsipas provided an epic choke in the last three sets. In the press conference afterwards he said he learned that he had to win 3 sets and not 2. That’s the kind of opposition Djokovic has had to face. If not an injured Nadal, it has been next gen players thinking they’re demi Gods thanks to social media.
Ok, Wimbledon... the biggest joke of a Grand Slam tournament in this millenium. Djokovic played at 1,5/5 level throughout the tournament and barely lost a set. Another next gen player in the final who couldn’t handle pressure. Wimbledon was a giant joke. Any Djokovic fan stating he is at least close to a neutral observer will have to nod his head in agreement.
Now, US Open is around the corner. Nadal is injured and out. Federer once again is out. Djokovic without having to face his two biggest rivals has the opportunity to achieve the calender Grand Slam. Wawrinka is out. Any other decent older player is not there, retired or out of form. What is left are the same players who have given Djokovic 3 Grand Slam titles on a plate this year. At this stage you’ll have to wonder if they’ll be at the podium after the final so Djokovic can Thank them in person: ”Without you guys it wouldn’t be possible!” He would say before going on to talk about his team and coaches.
I’m not even going to include a poll. It’s not a question, it’s a mere case of stating the obvious: Novak Djokovic’s achievements in 2021 and potential CSG has the biggest Asterix attached to it in tennis history, possibly even in sport’s history.
