Novak Djokovic had a rather sensational 2018. The Serb won’t remember this year because he was the utter dominator of the season like he was in 2011 (10 titles, 3 slams) or 2015 (11 titles, 3 slams), but because he ended the season as the world no.1 after he looked like almost ready for retirement at the beginning of the year.
[su_button url=”https://tennistonic.com/player-career-titles/?m=atp&pid=5992″ background=”#ef862d” size=”6″ wide=”yes” icon=”icon: trophy”]Djokovic’s 72 titles[/su_button]
Novak Djokovic’s year can be divided into 3 phases: the dark phase, the resurrection, and the triumph.
1- The dark phase
This phase was the (horrible) continuation of his bleak 2017 that the world no.1 had to interrupt after he retired in the quarters in Wimbledon against Berdych because of his arm injury.
In 2018, Nole lost in the 4th round of the Australian Open to Hyeon Chung before having an operation early in February.
Back to the tour, Djokovic lost in the opening match of both Indian Wells (to Taro Daniel) and Miami (to Benoit Paire).
At that point, the Serb looked completely lost.
2- The Resurrection
Things changed dramatically when Nole decided to rehire his dear friend Marian Vadja and his entire coaching team. After a couple of tentative runs in Montecarlo (lost in the 3rd round to Dominic Thiem), Barcelona (lost in the opener to Martin Klizan), and Madrid (lost in the 2nd round to Kyle Edmund), Djokovic started to go deep in the tournaments in Rome (lost in the semifinal to Rafael Nadal) and at the French Open (lost in the quarters to Cecchinato).
Nole was shocked for losing to the Italian to have a rather bizarre press conference soon after the match even doubting his participation to the grass season. Many read that as an “almost” game over while in reality, that was the beginning of an incredible comeback.
Djokovic to partner with Marian Vajda for the rest of the season
3- The Triumph
Nole had a fantastic stint on grass to lose the final at the Queen’s at the photo finish against Marin Cilic before winning Wimbledon following an incredible semifinal against Rafael Nadal.
Later on, Djokovic lost in the 3rd round in Toronto to Stefanos Tsitsipas, but then he won 22 consecutive matches (!!!) after conquering the titles in Cincinnati, at the Flushing Meadows, Shanghai and he reached the final in Paris.
Djokovic reached also the final at the World Tour Finals and he ended this fantastic year as the unforeseen world no.1
That was a hell of a ride that the “Serbinator” will try to extend in 2019.
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BACK IN STYLE!
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