Djokovic wins second title in as many weeks.
Posted by tennisplanet on November 15, 2009
Although this final turned out to be an unexpected thriller, in retrospect, Djokovic may not have preferred it any other way.
These are the kind of matches that build character, help gain maturity and the sweet smell of such wins is like a magnet calling on a flood of emotions to swell up and demand even more Ws to satiate it’s never-ending thirst and hunger.
A straight set win can never ever come close to the strong impetus such matches can generate. So much so there are a bunch of these matches filed in the archives of every freaking sport responsible for that ‘turning point’ glorious run.
That’s the reason Nadal will surely rank his AO and Wimbledon win far above those FO wins, not because of the surface or the prestige or whom he defeated, but the manner they were annexed.
Going in, Djokovic was in a thankless situation. He had to win it just to keep the detractors away with nothing to gain for a win. But the score here may have trumped all that to a degree to elevate the match past that dreary billing.
But even that will not be able to overcome the stark absence of healthy big dogs in the finals and later rounds at both tournaments.
However, if Djokovic can extend this run and include the AO in its sway, irrespective of who is in what condition, he will have achieved a very real aura of respect both within and outside the locker room.
As things stand today, to me, Murray appears to be the only consistent threat to Djokovic if Del Potro is really falling to that ‘tree top injury’ syndrome to bother anyone over long haul.
Federer’s recent taste of family bliss along with No. 15 and the FO may have been just what the tour was hoping to take away one major thorn from the forest. Federer has already developed a pretty strong momentum towards his next life and I don’t think he has enough motivation to revert that to a level that can make living on the tour even tolerable.
And Nadal probably is done, leaving just Djokovic and Murray to go at it with Del Potro popping up occasionally.
All that opens up a whole new world for the younger / lesser lights to catch fire and glory. Next season will most probably look a lot different from any of the past five / six years. It will need a lot of adjusting for the fans to stay interested as the sport gets ready to evolve again.
jennifur said
good win. as u say tp – often tough wins r more memorable.
tanya said
//But even that will not be able to overcome the stark absence of healthy big dogs in the finals and later rounds at both tournaments.
Wut? Does Fed not count as a “big dog” any longer?
jennifur said
was gonna say that 2 tanya … fed was well rested and healthy 4 basel and was scorchin in early rounds. rafa had just come off straight set win over tsonga, winner in paris last yr + a tough player. so id say nole beat some healthy big dogs. plus he beat soderling here and in bejing. some ppl just never wanna give him *full credit 4 whatever reason. but he deserved the win.
Jenny said
I agree TP, great post. However, I wouldn’t agree Nadal is done, he’s still young and to say a guy is done at 23, isn’t realistic, given what he can do and has already achieved. I’m hoping Verdasco will step up to the plate on a more consistent basis and stay there.
O said
Verdasco is does not look like a top five material. Now that he is in the top 8, I think he has reached his potential.
O said
None of Murray, Djokovic and Delpo is a Fedal type of player, and I agree it opens up for new people. In retrospect, winning at this time, at 2nd tier events, while good for confidence, wallet and everything, is a deterrent toward getting respect on the tour. Murray won a lot away from slams, Nalby has done that, but then disappear at the main events. When AO comes around, we have to prepared to see Federer, Nadal, Delpo again, maybe newcomers to an uncertain degree.
jennifur said
except nole has won a slam and was the youngest player ever to reach the semis of all of them.
Claire said
In what period of time – all in one year, 2 years?
Claire said
Having said that, Jennifur I did vote that Djokovic’s run is real – I think Djokovic will get a lot more attention than Murray next year (which Djokovic deserves)and I think Murray will be # 4 or #5. I never believed that stuff about Murray will become #1, etc. when he never won a GS! I think when Djokovic is playing well and has tons of confidence – look out!
jennifur said
hi claire, he got to semis or better in 07 of all 3, french, wimbledon, uso (final, lost to fed), and then he won the ao in 08 — so they were all pretty close together.
not sure what 2 think about future 2 tell u the truth. nole, rafa, delpo, murray all good and fed is still gr8 2, so there will b lots of contenders. a-rod sometimes gr8, and cilic gettin better. lots to look forward 2 in tennis. nalby will b back. monfils played gr8 today. tsonga can b good 2.
gilly said
As things stand today, to me, Murray appears to be the only consistent threat to Djokovic
————————–
TP you still have Murray on the brain. A threat in what way? When he wins a GS then we can talk.
Jenny said
To be fair to Murray, he has won 6 titles this year, his best showing was the 1000 series Canada [W] Miami [W], Indian Wells [F], not really a poor showing. He won the Valencia trophy but most of the field there were either knackered or nursing injuries, Mayer and Verdasco were tough and took him to three, Fer was knackered I think. Youzhny was regaining his confidence after a poor couple of seasons, the result wasn’t so surprising. He was then taken out in Paris by Stepanek in his second playing round. He has had injury woes, and seems to get tired or manages to pull something or other. Whether he wins a slam in the future, can he play back to back 5 setters in a slam if he has to, and come out the winner after staving of an aggressive fit player for 4 hours, I honestly don’t know.