I had absolutely prepared myself for Djokovic to lose to Nadal yesterday in Madrid. Not that I wanted him to lose, but beating Rafa in Spain on his best surface seemed to tall of a task. Plus, 31 wins in a row had to have taken a toll on him physically and mentally. Maybe Nole would take a set, but his win streak would have to come to an end.
Plus, as I have noted before, all this winning of his is starting to freak me out. Djokovic has given his fans great highs (2009 AO) followed by even greater lows (I don’t even want to talk about his clay season last year). I live in fear that the higher he rises, the harder he will fall. Like Icarus, he will get to close to the sun only to crash and burn spectacularly. I know I should just enjoy the ride, I am a neurotic former Classicist, so grandiose visions of doom are part of my nature. What can you do…
So I was shocked, a little scared, but mostly emphatically happy when I watched the match. Novak played so incredibly well. His backhand down the line is the most amazing shot in the game at the moment. A thing of beauty, grace, and lethal power. Rafa kept trying to break down Nole’s backhand with his forehand, especially in the first set, but to no avail. His best shot could not overcome Novak’s.
So Nadal’s 37 win-streak on clay has come to an end, while Novak’s run for the year extends to 32-0. He only trails McEnroe in the number of consecutive wins (he was 42-0 in 1984). Will Djokovic break that record next? Will he win Roland Garros? Will he overtake Rafa as the number 1 player in the world? A strong possiblity. In the meantime, I will try to enjoy Novak’s rise to the top and lay-off the doomsday scenarios. Emphasis on “try.”
(Pics via Getty Images)
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As a neurotic CURRENT classicist, studying for final exams, I keep bumping into the concept of hubris, something which Icarus suffered from: those showing “extreme haughtiness, pride or arrogance” are punished. Pride comes before a fall. But Novak isn’t haughty or arrogant. He’s an extremely gracious and classy man. When he lost the USO final, he hugged Nadal. When he won Madrid, his celebration on winning the match was more reserved than Rafa celebrating a break. Win or lose, he respects his opponent and shows great humility.
Whatever happens in the future, this run has been exceptional, emotional, and beautiful. He’s earned it all.
You are correct, really poor analogy on my part. Bah, I said I was a former Classicist, no?
Just nervous for Nole. I don’t want him to crash and burn. Confidence? Yes. Hubris? Never
Just my overanalysis, really
And I was really just trying to convey how much respect I have for Nole’s attitude.
Another thing that impresses me is how he’s stepped up to the plate in finals. In Dubai he looked quite poor all week, then in the final against Federer he stepped up and played his best, and it was much the same this week in Madrid. He’s a champion.
Absolutely. This year he’s able to find another gear when it matters. Don’t know if it’s just confidence or what, but reall impressive