[Topspinmo]

Novak Djokovic Wins gold metal at old age 37 in tennis defeating the young sensation Spaniard 7-6, 7-6. Completing a golden slam IMO without doubt the greatest male tennis player of all time. Some may not like him, but can’t dispute his accomplishments. Plus he’s not done yet, still could add 1 or two more grad slams.

[Two Bills]

My wife thought the match was better than the Wimbledon Final.
Not a Djokovic fan myself, but he is a fabulous player.
Not Alcaraz's day today, but his time will come.
We both like the format of the Olympic tennis. No over long matches.

[Bay Kid]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

Novak Djokovic Wins gold metal at old age 37 in tennis defeating the young sensation Spaniard 7-6, 7-6. Completing a golden slam IMO without doubt the greatest male tennis player of all time. Some may not like him, but can’t dispute his accomplishments. Plus he’s not done yet, still could add 1 or two more grad slams.

He is a great player and still has time for more.

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by Bay Kid

He is a great player and still has time for more.

Agree. Not a big Djokovic fan (always preferred Nadal and his exuberant style) but there is no denying Novak his accomplishments.

Lots of folks don't know the amount of dedication it takes though. He has an entourage of trainers, coach, medical people, etc. who help to make sure his body and his skills are at their absolute best whenever he plays. Long gone are the days when players like John McEnroe, Andre Agassi, Marat Safin, etc. could shun training and diet and still play at a top level, for awhile at least.

Another thing about Novak is his dedication to his sport, and not from the perspective of just enriching himself. You can't make it in Tennis unless you're (say) in the top 50 or so in the world, and forget about making it big unless you're at least in the top 20. Djokovic has long lobbied for the ATP and WTA to put more effort into helping the lower-ranked players make it financially, such as a pension fund, more prize money, etc., and not always with the approval of other top players such as Roger Federer. Gotta give him a LOT of credit for that.

[Rainger99]

I have always been surprised that so many people don't like Djokovic. He came up later than Federer or Nadal. Federer won his first slam in 2003 (Wimbledon) and Nadal won his first slam in 2005 (French) and Djokovic didn't win his first until 2008 (Australia).

I always thought that a lot of it was that, by the time Djokovic appeared on the scene, people already liked either Roger or Rafael and that they weren't going to cheer for the new guy - no matter how good he was.

Federer dominated from 2004 to 2009 winning 14 out of 24 slam events. He won his fifth slam when he was 23. Since 2009, he has only won 5 events and has only won 4 after turning 30 in 2011.

Nadal won his fifth slam in 2008 at the age of 22. Over the next 14 years, he won 17 slams and 8 of them were after he turned 30.

Djokovic won his fifth grand slam when he was 24. Since 2011, he has won 20 of the 50 slam events and 12 of his 24 slams were after he turned 30. And if not being banned from playing the Australian Open in 2022 (even though he won it in 2021) and the US Open in 2022 (despite having played it in 2021), he probably would have won at least one of them. He was banned because he refused to be vaccinated for Covid. Whether you approve of vaccination or not, you have to admire an athlete standing up for this beliefs. Since we are talking Paris Olympics, it is sort of like Eric Liddell refusing to run on Sunday at the 1924 Olympics.

Before the Big Three, the record for Grand Slams was held by Pete Sampras who had 14 wins. Federer broke that in 2009. In 2010, Federer had 6 titles, Nadal 6, and Djokovic only 1. After the 2018 French Open, Federer had 20, Nadal 17, and Djokovic only 12 but at the end of 2020, all three had 20 titles. Nadal edged ahead in 2022 when he won the Australian Open (Djokovic was banned from this tournament) for his 21st win and Nadal won his 22 title in 2022 when he won the French Open. Djokovic won the French Open in 2023 to take the lead with his 23rd title and he won his 24th title when he won the 2023 US Open.

He has a winning record against both Federer and Nadal (although they are close) so I would think that people would appreciate that we are seeing the greatest of all time - until someone passes him.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

I have always been surprised that so many people don't like Djokovic. He came up later than Federer or Nadal. Federer won his first slam in 2003 (Wimbledon) and Nadal won his first slam in 2005 (French) and Djokovic didn't win his first until 2008 (Australia).

I always thought that a lot of it was that, by the time Djokovic appeared on the scene, people already liked either Roger or Rafael and that they weren't going to cheer for the new guy - no matter how good he was.

Federer dominated from 2004 to 2009 winning 14 out of 24 slam events. He won his fifth slam when he was 23. Since 2009, he has only won 5 events and has only won 4 after turning 30 in 2011.

Nadal won his fifth slam in 2008 at the age of 22. Over the next 14 years, he won 17 slams and 8 of them were after he turned 30.

Djokovic won his fifth grand slam when he was 24. Since 2011, he has won 20 of the 50 slam events and 12 of his 24 slams were after he turned 30. And if not being banned from playing the Australian Open in 2022 (even though he won it in 2021) and the US Open in 2022 (despite having played it in 2021), he probably would have won at least one of them. He was banned because he refused to be vaccinated for Covid. Whether you approve of vaccination or not, you have to admire an athlete standing up for this beliefs. Since we are talking Paris Olympics, it is sort of like Eric Liddell refusing to run on Sunday at the 1924 Olympics.

Before the Big Three, the record for Grand Slams was held by Pete Sampras who had 14 wins. Federer broke that in 2009. In 2010, Federer had 6 titles, Nadal 6, and Djokovic only 1. After the 2018 French Open, Federer had 20, Nadal 17, and Djokovic only 12 but at the end of 2020, all three had 20 titles. Nadal edged ahead in 2022 when he won the Australian Open (Djokovic was banned from this tournament) for his 21st win and Nadal won his 22 title in 2022 when he won the French Open. Djokovic won the French Open in 2023 to take the lead with his 23rd title and he won his 24th title when he won the 2023 US Open.

He has a winning record against both Federer and Nadal (although they are close) so I would think that people would appreciate that we are seeing the greatest of all time - until someone passes him.

Don’t forget about us open where hit hit lines person. Nobody was going to beat him in that tournament. I figure he lost 3 slams cause of disqualification and Covid. He probably would have 26 slams? IMO Nadal wasn’t going to beat him at Australia open. I remember one final with Federer had match point and hit first serve and the joker nailed winner cross court and ended up winning match. That’s when IMO heads started turning. I also remember early in is career had breathing problems that may of hampered him. Andy Rodick made fun of him but he got beat and joker got last laugh.

[Rainger99]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

I remember one final with Federer had match point and hit first serve and the joker nailed winner cross court and ended up winning match.

I think you mean this shot from the 2011 US Open semifinals.

https://youtu.be/pl_N-QvQLXQ?si=2utvHQ2BPRZynfvC

For an extremely detailed analysis of that shot read this.

The Shot, 10 Years Later. “That miracle forehand…does that change… | by Juan Jose Vallejo | Medium

Also, every match in which Djokovic played Nadal or Federer, the crowd was overwhelmingly against Djokovic.

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

Don’t forget about us open where hit hit lines person. Nobody was going to beat him in that tournament. I figure he lost 3 slams cause of disqualification and Covid. He probably would have 26 slams? IMO Nadal wasn’t going to beat him at Australia open. I remember one final with Federer had match point and hit first serve and the joker nailed winner cross court and ended up winning match. That’s when IMO heads started turning. I also remember early in is career had breathing problems that may of hampered him. Andy Rodick made fun of him but he got beat and joker got last laugh.

I remember that match! Talk about coming up big at the most crucial times. Djokovic has always been known for that though, unlike other players who seem to do the complete opposite. Any Roddick, for example: you could always count on him making his biggest mistakes at the most crucial times. On the ladies' side, Mary Pierce. Sort of like Roddick on steroids. I recall one story where her coach admonished her, "don't THINK out there!".

I don't think people hate Djokovich (there are exceptions) so much as they are fans of his opponents. As a dyed-in-the-wool Minnesotan I was a diehard Vikings fan and rooted for them strenuously whenever they played those upstarts from Green Bay, but that didn't stop me from rooting for the Packers whenever (as all too often happened) the Vikings managed to urinate away yet another playoff game, with the Packers advancing. You can appreciate talent without hating those who have it, even though it might be at the expense of your favorite team/player.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

I have always been surprised that so many people don't like Djokovic. He came up later than Federer or Nadal. Federer won his first slam in 2003 (Wimbledon) and Nadal won his first slam in 2005 (French) and Djokovic didn't win his first until 2008 (Australia).

I always thought that a lot of it was that, by the time Djokovic appeared on the scene, people already liked either Roger or Rafael and that they weren't going to cheer for the new guy - no matter how good he was.

Federer dominated from 2004 to 2009 winning 14 out of 24 slam events. He won his fifth slam when he was 23. Since 2009, he has only won 5 events and has only won 4 after turning 30 in 2011.

Nadal won his fifth slam in 2008 at the age of 22. Over the next 14 years, he won 17 slams and 8 of them were after he turned 30.

Djokovic won his fifth grand slam when he was 24. Since 2011, he has won 20 of the 50 slam events and 12 of his 24 slams were after he turned 30. And if not being banned from playing the Australian Open in 2022 (even though he won it in 2021) and the US Open in 2022 (despite having played it in 2021), he probably would have won at least one of them. He was banned because he refused to be vaccinated for Covid. Whether you approve of vaccination or not, you have to admire an athlete standing up for this beliefs. Since we are talking Paris Olympics, it is sort of like Eric Liddell refusing to run on Sunday at the 1924 Olympics.

Before the Big Three, the record for Grand Slams was held by Pete Sampras who had 14 wins. Federer broke that in 2009. In 2010, Federer had 6 titles, Nadal 6, and Djokovic only 1. After the 2018 French Open, Federer had 20, Nadal 17, and Djokovic only 12 but at the end of 2020, all three had 20 titles. Nadal edged ahead in 2022 when he won the Australian Open (Djokovic was banned from this tournament) for his 21st win and Nadal won his 22 title in 2022 when he won the French Open. Djokovic won the French Open in 2023 to take the lead with his 23rd title and he won his 24th title when he won the 2023 US Open.

He has a winning record against both Federer and Nadal (although they are close) so I would think that people would appreciate that we are seeing the greatest of all time - until someone passes him.

I think in the beginning of his winning streak, his personality had something to do with the crowd not liking him. He was a bit acerbic (pun intended) and continues today to have beliefs not necessarily in the norm which can be unpopular. But he has learned through the years how to moderate his demeanor and react more positively to the crowd. And the crowd has responded.

I appreciate his actions of inclusiveness toward the younger players. I also appreciate how he treats the ball boys and girls.

He is a defensive player as opposed to, say, Nadal. That's probably why he's been able to be fairly injury free down through the years. I really love watching him play.