Novak Djokovic: In a new role to the old strength

A short fist in the direction of his box was then already the highest of feelings. When Novak Djokovic shook hands with his overwhelmed opponent Tommy Paul, one did not get the impression that the Serb had just reached the final of the Australian Open for the tenth time. Sometimes it seems as if the Serb doesn’t even have to make an effort to show off his opponents round after round. As in the quarterfinals against Andrey Rublev, there was no reason for exuberant jubilation. The performance at 7: 5, 6: 1, 6: 2 against Paul in the semifinals of the first Grand Slam of the year was again so dominant that it almost seemed as if Djokovic was uncomfortable not having offered the audience a better show . There were a few words of encouragement for the desperate Paul, who, like Rublev and Alex De Minaur before him, had no chance at all.

“I’m not surprised. He’s one of the best players of all time, it’s that simple,” said Rublev after the quarter-final match in which he had no chance against the Serbs. Such sentences almost seem like resignation to the overpowering Djokovic, who has now won 40 consecutive matches at tournaments in Australia, 27 of them at the Australian Open. He now overtook André Agassi, who remained unbeaten 26 times in a row in the first Grand Slam tournament of the year between 2000 and 2004.

Djokovic: “I don’t have to prove anything to anyone”

It almost seems as if the drama surrounding Djokovic never existed in Melbourne a year earlier, where he was expelled from the country before the competition started. Tournament director Craig Tiley had promised Djokovic that he could enter the country without a corona vaccination. However, the legal situation at the time did not provide for this, and as is well known, things turned out very differently. The Serb commented on the incidents before the start of the tournament this year and presented himself as a victim of the situation.

He was portrayed “as the villain of the world” and “caught in the storm of the media”. In general, Djokovic complains remarkably often about grievances this year, complains on a tour and plays with the public. In short: the Serb doesn’t put up with anything anymore and makes this clear in every action and in every interview.

First there was the 35-year-old’s hamstring injury, which he picked up playing against Daniil Medvedev at the pre-season tournament in Adelaide. Since he moved surprisingly well despite the impairment, some doubts arose as to the authenticity of the injury. Medvedev even sarcastically touched his leg repeatedly to imitate Djokovic.

About two weeks later, the Serb’s collar burst when he was asked about the injury again. After making short work of Australia’s Alex de Minaur 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 in the quarter-finals, he said: “I don’t have to prove anything to anyone. If some other players are injured, then they are the victims, but when I am, I fake it. It’s very interesting,” Djokovic told tennismajors.com. He could consider publishing pictures of MRT and ultrasound examinations, for example. “Maybe I will, maybe not,” he said with a sarcastic undertone. Only to add provocatively: “I don’t really care what other people say about my injury, but this time it gives me strength and motivation. So I thank them for that.”

Djokovic in the victim role

The current number five in the world doesn’t put up with anything from the fans either. For years, one had the impression that the Serb was desperately trying to achieve a similar popularity as crowd favorites Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal. Now he lives the victim role he sees himself in to the fullest. It’s no longer about popularity, it’s about becoming the greatest tennis player of all time.

When a drunk spectator at Rod Laver Arena repeatedly accosted him, he summarily had him thrown out of the arena. “He provoked me for two hours. I tolerated it for more than an hour and a half, but then I had enough. There is a limit and it was far exceeded.” Djokovic also couldn’t resist a dig at the tournament organizers and the ATP. “But it would have been the referee’s or supervisor’s job to intervene much earlier, it shouldn’t be the player’s job.”

It was not the first time this week that he dealt against the professional association in tennis. The broadcaster “Eurosport” reported that Djokovic used the toilet without permission during his first round match. However, the fact that the report turned out to be wrong a short time later was not enough for Djokovic. “Why didn’t the ATP or the Grand Slam comment even though they could see that I was publicly lynched by the media?” asked the former world number one. “I’m an easy target to be the bad guy. It’s normal for me now, but I won’t tolerate injustice.”

Lots of sideshows

At the same time, however, his own camp also caused unrest. The day before the semifinals of the first Grand Slam of the year, a video circulated online showing Novak’s father Srdjan Djokovic posing with others behind a Russian flag with a portrait of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin at Melbourne Park. The man next to him has a T-shirt with the “Z” sign on it, which is believed to be a symbol of support for Russia in the war against Ukraine. Sdrjan Djokovic insisted that he only wanted to celebrate with the fans and take pictures and wished “only peace”, but then stayed away from his son’s semifinals.

Regardless of the video incident and all other side scenes outside of the court, he continued to play what was perhaps the best tennis of his life. His opponents seem intimidated and the Serb also masters the all-important mental component on and off the pitch like no other. When Djokovic was asked after the game against De Minaur why he had played his game so convincingly, he replied with a grin: “Because I wanted to.” Djokovic currently decides how good his opponents are, he plays with them at will: “The performance also sends a message to my future opponents, which is very important,” he said.

A week before the start of the Australian Open, it looked as if his Australian winning streak would break. At the preparatory tournament in Adelaide, the American Sebastian Korda literally had the win on his racquet. If the 22-year-old had played a lob a few centimeters further towards the baseline at the end of the second set or had had one or the other better solution ready in the rally beforehand, he would have left the field as the winner. But Djokovic fended off Korda’s match point and a short time later celebrated the 92nd tournament win of his career.

Getting into the heads of opponents

He broke another record on the way there: With eight titles after defending match balls, Djokovic has taken the sole lead in those “comebackers”, overtaking Rafael Nadal (who succeeded seven times). For comparison: Andy Murray has won six tournaments by saved match points, Roger Federer four. Further proof of the Serb’s enormous mental strength, which he is always aware of.

“It’s getting more and more fixed in the minds of the opponents,” said Djokovic after winning the tournament in Adelaide. “And that’s what I want. I want you to know that no matter what the situation, I’ll always fight to the last blow and I’ll be able to turn things around.” However, the Serb did not have to prove his comeback qualities at the previous tournament in Melbourne – which he has already won nine times. He led some of his opponents almost effortlessly and so far only lost a single set on the way to the final. Djokovic embraces his new role and seems stronger and more uncompromising than ever. In a few days, the Serb can crown himself the 22nd Grand Slam champion in Melbourne. He certainly doesn’t lack self-confidence. “I’ve never lost a semi-final or final at the Australian Open… so!”

The text was updated on January 27th.