It is agreed that Williams sisters dominate proceedings in women’s tennis, but in the last few years, there has been grave turbulence, and you get a new No. 1 in the wink of an eyelid. It is no longer the sustainability of a Martina Navratilova or a Steffi Graf. We have a new top rank in Azarenka even as we speak.
Men’s tennis has been a lot sedate in contrast. If the 90’s was mainly tormented by Sampras, this millenium’s first decade was ruled by the elegant Roger Federer. However, in later part of the decade, he had a thorn perennially troubling him in Rafael Nadal. Now, the two-faced coin is beginning to dash up a new face in Novak Djokovic, who comes, sees and conquers!
Till now, Federer had to somehow either hope for niggle that keeps away Nadal, or look to beat him, an achievement he rarely grasped. Now, add to his advancing age (he is 28, a ripening age in Tennis), there is further threat, and one that looks ready to gobble everyone else and dispatch them to cornerstones.
Djokovic won the Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open in 2011. He lost to Federer in French Open semifinal. With the latest Australian Open in his pocket, he might win all four Slams in continuation if he rushes through French Open. It is miraculous how he manages to enthuse enough energy and stamina and play faultlessly.
Trouble for Federer is that he finds it hard against Nadal and everyone finds Djokovic a tough nut to crack. When you watch Djokovic v/s Nadal, you have a feeling you are watching two mirrors clash. The true fighter that Nadal is, even though he has lost all three Slam finals recently, he has thrown better resistance each time, and lost the last match purely on technicality. Nadal is livewire in French Open, and Federer is looking tiresome. Perhaps his era is over!
