World number 1 Novak Djokovic proved to the world and Roger Federer why he is truly the best player on the planet, after winning the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals on Monday. In a fitting end to another remarkable year of tennis, London saw the two best players in the world go toe-to-toe for one final time. The Serb got the better of the Swiss in a high intensity final and finished the season in the same fashion he started it in January – on a winning note. And while he may not have replicated his phenomenal exploits of the preceding year, Djokovic backed it up with yet another sensational season.
“It’s been a very long year, a very long two years, but a very successful two years,” says Djokovic. “I didn’t really know how I will follow up after incredible 2011, but I believed that I have to use the time where I’m playing the best tennis of my life and I’m winning Grand Slams and finally realize what I need to do to win the major tournaments.” And major tournaments he did win. In the longest and arguably the greatest Grand Slam final in history, Djokovic won the battle of endurance against Spain’s Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open earlier in the year. The two iron men defied all laws of physicality, stretching each other to the limit in that memorable match.
They resumed their rivalry on the red clay of Europe. In an unlikely turn of events last year, the Serb had remarkably managed to tame the king of clay on his beloved surface, where he was virtually untouchable. But order was restored this time around, as Nadal avenged his previous losses. With titles in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Rome, the Spaniard dominated the clay court season yet again. He followed it up with a record seventh French Open title, surpassing Borg’s record of six. The rain-affected final saw some enticing rallies, so typical of Nadal-Djokovic matches, but the relentless Spaniard with his booming topspin, was not to be denied on the day.
This had been the fourth consecutive Grand Slam final between the two arch-rivals, but unfortunately this was all the Rafa fans were going to witness of the great Spaniard this season. Following an early exit at Wimbledon, the former world number 1, sat out the remainder of the season due to a recurring left knee problem. Nadal’s absence gave way to perhaps a new rivalry in men’s tennis.
Britain’s Andy Murray, who has almost always flown under the radar and Novak Djokovic laid the foundations of what could possibly be the next big rivalry in tennis. Featuring in the season’s biggest matches this year, the two 25-year olds entertained the tennis crowds with their long, spectacular battles. If their Australian Open five-hour epic was not proof enough of this intriguing new match-up, the US Open final, tying in with the longest men’s championship match at Flushing Meadows, got a lot of people talking.
In his breakthrough year, the Scot gave the British fans plenty to cheer about. With two gold medals at the London Olympics and his maiden Grand Slam title in New York, Murray finally came into his own; and deservedly so. “For me, it’s been the best year of my career by a mile”. Murray admits. “I’ve achieved things I’ve never achieved before. I have to look back on it positively”.
As we look for greater things to come from the Scot in the coming years, certain other ATP stars decided to close this chapter of their lives. Former world number ones, Andy Roddick and Juan Carlos Ferrero, amongst others, bid farewell to the tennis world in 2012. So accustomed to flying high on the circuit, injuries and mediocre results forced these Grand Slam champions into showing the white flag.
As for the aging Federer, there were no signs of him hanging up the racket anytime soon. His Wimbledon triumph gave impetus to what could perhaps be a few more good years still left in him. He reclaimed the top spot from Djokovic, breaking Sampras’ record of 286 weeks spent at the top spot, before conceding it again towards the end of the season. While, there is no denying that the Swiss has pretty much passed the pinnacle of his career, it is the passion for the sport that keeps him going still. “I think it’s the love for the game, the appreciation I get from the crowds, I guess playing for records from time to time, playing against different types of generations and playing styles,” he explains. The top four men dominated proceedings yet again this year, showcasing unparalleled talent and athleticism. For the second year running, Djokovic ends the season at the top of the world rankings. Murray’s inclusion into the Grand Slam winner’s circle makes for an interesting mix, turning “The Big Three” into “The Fantastic Four”. And, as a rejuvenated Nadal recovers for the 2013 season, expect for more exciting events to unfold come next year.
Bravo Nole, long live and prosper
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