By Rockin’ Reese
In 2003, a young man from Serbia joined the ranks of the Association of Tennis Professionals. At the time, Roger Federer & Rafael Nadal were rising stars who were at the genesis of what would become 2 of the greatest careers in professional tennis history.
However, it wouldn’t be too long, until the Serbian player would cross each man’s path and create 3 of the most noted rivalries in recent men’s tennis history. Also, it wouldn’t be too long before tennis fans around the world would be talking about Novak Djokovic.
Like many players, Djokovic would compete in smaller events that were sanctioned by the ATP, before competing at the 4 major events of the year (Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, & US Open). In 2008, he would win his major championship, by defeating Jo-Wilfred Tsonga to win the Australian Open.
This would be the first of Novak’s record 10 AO championships. In 2016, he would tie Roy Emerson for most AO championships (6…Federer would tie them in 2018), before breaking the record in 2019. In 2011, Djokovic would truly emerge as a superstar by winning 3 majors (he would be eliminated in the semi-finals of the French Open).
After being in the semi-finals or finals from 2011-2015, Novak would finally complete the “grand slam” by winning the 2016 FO. He is one of 8 men (Fred Perry, Don Budge, Emerson, Rod Laver, Andre Agassi, Federer, & Nadal being the others) who have achieved a career grand slam.
Over his career, Djokovic has achieved plenty of historic achievements. He would spend 388 career weeks as the #1 ranked tennis player. He has the most ATP Masters championships (38) and is the only man to win all 9 tournaments (Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid, Rome, Canada, Cincinnati, Shanghai, & Paris), at least twice.
He tied Federer with the most ATP Finals championships (6). His win at this year’s French Open made multiple forms of history. It made him the oldest man to win a FO (just 20 days after his 36th birthday). It made him the only player to achieve 3 career grand slams.
Most importantly, it gave him sole possession for the most major championships by a male player (23). To put that in perspective, if you include female players, Djokovic just tied Serena Williams for 2nd most major championships in history. Only Margaret Court has more (24).
To say that Novak Djokovic is one of the greatest tennis players of all time is a certifiable fact. There would be a strong case that when his career is said & done, he would be on the Mt. Rushmore of tennis. Regardless of how you feel about him, one thing is clear. Novak Djokovic is the real deal, when it comes to success in professional tennis.