Making assumptions about elite level sportspeople can be a dangerous game in punditry. We have seen a reactionary media write elite players off time and time again, only to look foolish when a Roger Federer or Serena Williams lift yet another trophy aloft. For example, John McEnroe predicted in 2013 that Federer would not win another Grand Slam, a sentiment echoed by several other ex-pros. We all know how that turned out.
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The same level of doubt wasn’t swirling around Novak Djokovic before Wimbledon last month, but there were undoubtedly concerns about the Serb ever returning to his peak. Of course, despite Djokovic landing his 13th Grand Slam at the All-England Club, some of those doubts will still remain. The smallest percentages make a difference at the very top end of the tennis spectrum, so it’s not abundantly clear whether Djokovic can once again become the winning machine we saw in 2011 and 2015.
Djokovic was under the radar before Wimbledon
However, that Wimbledon victory served as a reminder to tennis that Djokovic is one of tennis’ all-time greats. In all likelihood, he will pass Pete Sampras’ record of 14 Slams and, perhaps, he can sneak past Rafael Nadal’s tally of 17. A fast-paced media tends to concentrate on the ‘now’ in sports, leading us almost to forget just how dominant Djokovic was a few years ago.
Indeed, when it comes to the US Open (27th August – 9th September) and that 14th Slam, Novak Djokovic will be the winner according to 888sport. The Serbian star’s odds were cut after the victory over Kevin Anderson at SW19, but, in truth, the bookies had been banking on his return to fitness for a while. The current odds from 888sport see Djokovic as the outright favorite at 11/4, with Nadal and Federer both sitting ominously at 7/2.
Nadal and Federer also in decent shape
The are some who might question Djokovic’s status as favorite ahead of the two men, who, pre-Wimbledon, won the last six consecutive Grand Slam titles. But there are others who believe the Serb’s star is in the ascendancy again. The sounds coming out of the Djokovic camp are positive, with plenty of suggestion that he will be in even better shape at Flushing Meadows.
Of course, it remains to be seen if Djokovic can truly put all those injury worries behind him. The last couple of years have been undeniable for the Serb, who has now just made it back into the top 10 in ATP rankings on the back of that victory. Indeed, Djokovic’s patience must be admired and will perhaps serve to inspire the other member of men’s tennis ‘Big 4’, Andy Murray. The Brit, who is available at 10/1 for the US Open, has also cut a forlorn figure over the last couple of years. Perhaps he can take some heart from seeing Djokovic’s return to Grand Slam glory?
For many tennis fans, seeing Djokovic back to full fitness is not just about seeing the Serb win again, but about seeing a few more of those dream matches against Nadal and Federer before the curtain falls on their careers. One expects that Djokovic also had that in mind as he put in the hard yards getting back to fitness again. But, one thing is for sure, pundits will not be queuing up rule out any of that trio in the lead up to the final Slam of the year.
