Novak Djokovic & the quest for greatness

Published by Paul Moore

Where does Rio leave Novak Djokovic's claim to be the GOAT? Photo: Getty Images
Will Novak Djokovic ever win Olympic Gold, and does his failure to do so tarnish his legacy?

Andre Agassi has done it. So has Rafa Nadal. Roger Federer has kind of done it, albeit not in the blue riband event.

Will Novak Djokovic ever do it?

What we’re referring to is winning all four Grand Slams and Olympic Gold. For those of you quibbling the inclusion of Roger Federer on that list, of course his doubles Gold in Beijing counts.

Can Novak Djokovic ever join that exclusive club? What’s more, will it tarnish his legacy if he doesn’t?

That is the question now looming over the world No.1 following his premature exit from both the singles and doubles in Rio – and his decision not to enter the mixed.

That Djokovic will go down as one of the greatest tennis players of all time (GOAT) is already beyond doubt. Whether he will be remembered as The GOAT without an Olympic Gold is questionable.

Of course, that’s not to say that he won’t win one. At 29 years old, Djokovic still has time on his side – his fiercest rival of recent years, Federer, is testament to that.

But Djokovic and Federer are very different players. Where Djokovic’s game is built upon physical perfection, Federer’s finds its foundations in technical supremacy. Where Djokovic works tirelessly to dominate his opponent across every inch of the court, Federer will float around it, famously bold and aggressive. And where Djokovic relies on every muscle, tendon and sinew in his body to dominate the opposition, Federer’s physical prowess is as important to his success as his technical brilliance.

It is Djokovic’s reliance on the physical – the unique aspect of his game that has seen him dominate men’s tennis for the last few years – that could well be the reason why Gold will always elude him.

Athletes’ bodies are finely tuned, delicate machines. As such, when one thing goes, it often triggers a chain of events that can undermine the style and confidence of the player involved. Just ask Juan Martin Del Potro, Kei Nishikori or, more recently, Federer.

At present, Djokovic seems to be injury free (although a wrist injury has forced his withdrawal from Cincinnati). If he can steer clear of injuries and ailments, then Gold at Tokyo 2020 is definitely achievable. But that is a pretty big ‘if’.

And if it comes to pass that he cannot stay physically perfect, or that a usurper to his throne emerges, where does that leave his legacy in the game?

That he is one of the Greats is already unquestionable. That he will not go on to win more Slams seems utterly unfathomable.

Does he really need Olympic Gold if he wins many more Slams? For tennis purists perhaps not. For his millions of fans around the world, certainly not. But when he hangs up his racquets there will be those who will argue that, while he was indeed Great, there was one ‘little thing’ missing from his trophy cabinet.

A single medal that denied his absolute supremacy over the rest.

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