Comment: We are entering a new era in tennis…. where Novak Djokovic will be crowned the greatest

The next generation came knocking and once again, the old guard refused to grant them entry.
After 12 months when very little has made sense on too many levels around the world, it felt like tennis was ready for a new era as Daniil Medvedev appeared to offer a credible threat to Novak Djokovic’s relentless dominance of the Australian Open, but the old order will remain in place for now.
In fact, the manner of the Serbian’s 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 win over his Russian rival on a Rod Laver Arena he has long since called his own suggests we are about to enter a whole new era of tennis history – and it will involve Djokovic cementing himself as the greatest the game has ever seen.
Sublime Novak Djokovic crushes off-colour Daniil Medvedev to win ninth Australian Open title
As he collected his 18th major title in brutally brilliant fashion, we were reminded of the mountain the chasing pack will need to climb to knock the king of the castle off the peak.
Medvedev’s 20-game unbeaten streak fuelled his belief that he could take on Djokovic in what promised tone a slugfest for the ages in Melbourne, but the truth is the young pups are still no match for the true great when he is at his best.
Whatever you might think about Djokovic’s ‘injury’ that appeared to heal miraculously mid-way through this tournament, Novak’s brilliance in the final chapter of a strange and compelling Australian Open confirmed the next few years of the game could belong to him.
He now looks certain to sail past Roger Federer’s haul of 20 Grand Slam titles and would be strongly fancied to end up with more than Rafael Nadal, who is also currently on the mark of 20 in the race to claim the greatest record in men’s tennis.
With Djokovic set to beat Federer’s record for most weeks at No 1 next month on the back of this win and his eyes bulging at the prospect of more glory at Wimbledon later this year, the Serbian could conceivably finish this year with that golden mark of 20 major titles next to his name.
At that point, it will all be about building his legacy and given the events that unfolded in his ninth Australian Open final, it looks like he may be untouchable for some time to come.
https://twitter.com/Eurosport_UK/status/1363445865311064064?s=20
“It was an unbelievable performance,” declared former world No 1 Mats Wilander, speaking in his role as a Eurosport pundit.
“Djokovic got the dream start, going up 3-0 straight away and then Medvedev came back somehow and you thought maybe this is going to turn into a tough match. But then he just played better and better and better. A little bit of a hiccup early in the second set. He is so solid, and he wins points in so many different ways today.
“That’s a huge statement to them, to us, to the whole world. Novak is just so complete these days, he can hit those little drop shots, he can come to the net, he’a got choices. Medvedev clearly needs to improve the variety of his shots.”
When asked about the race to the top of the Grand Slam charts, Wilander added: “When you watch Novak play at the Australian Open, it looks as difficult to beat him here as it does to beat Rafa Nadal at Roland-Garros. It shouldn’t be because it’s a faster court, it should be much more difficult but he looks so solid, so confident and once he gets into the lead I don’t know what you have to do.
“It’s amazing how Novak Djokovic has claimed the Australian Open as his home Slam, Rafa has Roland-Garros as his home Slam, and Roger Federer as his home. So it’s amazing how they all dominate in their own ‘living rooms’.
“It was disappointing for Novak Djokovic at the US Open, but it’s starting again with Rafa winning Roland-Garros on 20, now Novak on 18 – now we start thinking Novak is most probably the favourite to win the US Open because it’s hard court. Wimbledon? Maybe he’s the favourite. At the end of this year who knows who’s going to be in the lead.”
The tennis world waited and wondered whether we were about to witness the dawn of a new era in tennis at the start of 2021.
Instead, we should prepare ourselves for the era that sees Novak Djokovic’s coronation as the king of the court.
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
French Open
Daniil Medvedev declares his love for Roland Garros after winning opener, joking ‘it’s Tuesday and I’m still here’
Daniil Medvedev ❤️ Roland Garros.
-
Wimbledon
Rafael Nadal understands both sides of ATP-Wimbledon row
“I respect and I understand Wimbledon’s position,” says Nadal.
-
Wimbledon
Russian-born player admits ‘I can’t go back to Russia’, but says ‘Wimbledon is still going to be Wimbledon’
Daria Saville not holding back.
-
WTA Tour
Serena Williams to follow Roger Federer out of rankings list
A run of nearly 25 years will come to an end after the July 11 WTA Rankings update, in which Serena Williams will drop off.
-
French Open
Emma Raducanu praised for showing character as ‘people are sort of doubting her a little bit’
Plenty of praise for Emma Raducanu.
-
ATP Tour
Novak Djokovic condems Wimbledon’s ‘lose-lose’ decision
The world number one didn’t mince his words about the situation following his first-round victory at the French Open.
-
ATP Tour
Roger Federer to fall out of ATP Rankings list
The former world number one will be an unranked player for the first time in nearly 25 years in six weeks’ time.
-
French Open
French Open recap: Emma Raducanu joins Brits in second round
Britain’s US Open champion was a set and a break down against 17-year-old qualifier Linda Novoska on Monday but battled back to win in three.
-
News
John McEnroe and Tim Henman in feisty exchange over Wimbledon’s Russia ban
John McEnroe challenged Tim Henman over Wimbledon’s decision to ban Russia and Belarusian players.
-
French Open
Battling Emma Raducanu finds words to sum up her first French Open win
Emma Raducanu narrowly avoided a taste of her own medicine after coming from a set down.