Novak Djokovic: The ultimate sportsman in tennis

Novak Djokovic: a champion

The beastly resurgence of Rafael Nadal and the epic fall of Roger Federer sum up the ongoing tennis season, vividly outpacing the other dramatic tales – the victory by Andy Murray at the All England Club, included. Even a book spreading over volumes will not be adequate to encapsulate the dominant comeback of the 27-year old Spaniard as well as the unexpected descent of the 17-time Grand Slam champion.

However, there is not much to speak or write about a man from Serbia, who, despite being ranked No.1 in the world, is unable to do anything in justification of his numero uno status. He did win a Grand Slam title this season but that was way back in January. Since then, save Dubai and Monte Carlo, he has been thrashed in bigger tournaments, especially in majors – not withstanding his great “come from behind” semifinal match against his arch rival, Rafael Nadal in Roland Garros.

Maybe his performance has gone down a bit of late but if there is one thing for which he deserves to be given a standing ovation – then it must be for the way he has been conducting himself by displaying near to perfect “sportsmanship” these days. He is not even close to what he was, back in 2011 when he looked almost invincible – but what is worth noticeable nowadays is the manner in which he has learned to accept defeats. To quote Rudyard Kipling, as inscribed at the entrance of Centre Court at the All England Club, “If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat those two impostors just the same” - the essence of sportsmanship lies precisely in how one carries himself irrespective of what he ends up confronting with.

When Novak Djokovic stepped onto the tennis court two weeks ago at the Arthur Ashe stadium to play his fourth consecutive final, much was at stake for him, being the number one player in the world. Not that he was in any danger of getting dethroned from the top ranking which he was holding for nearly a year, but then his position as World No.1 was sure to take a beating, if he would succumb to Rafael Nadal in the championship match.

The Spaniard, who has been enjoying one of the best years of his career this season, on the other hand, had more to gain and had hardly anything to lose. After having started pretty badly by surrendering the first set, Djokovic began to look good in the second. So much so, he raced past his opponent by successfully converting a break point opportunity after having emerged supreme in a 54-shot rally. Though he was broken back by Rafa in the very next game, he was able to regroup himself to break the Spaniard’s service one more time. Aided by double breaks, he was able to take the second set 6-3. Just when it looked as though he was having a strangle hold on the match when he broke his adversary in the opening game of the third set , he let go the advantage by squandering the break point opportunities which came his way, in the games that followed. Eventually, the set eluded him in a dramatic fashion only to be pocketed by Nadal 6-4.