DJOKOVIC: PERFECT 27-0 RECORD
April 22, 2011 by Nisa Martinez
Filed under Athletics
Novak Djokovic Takes Home the 2011 Sony Ericsson Championship Trophy
By CARLOS SANZ
Contributing Writer
Djokovic with his newest trophy in Miami. Photos/ Getty Images.
Being under the shadow of two of the greatest tennis players in history for years is never easy, but Novak Djokovic, 23, has proven so far this season that Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are no longer his burdens in the finals.
With a perfect 27-0 winning record so far this year, including a victory at the first Grand Slam of the year in Australia, Djokovic has already beaten Federer three times this year, to overpass him in the rankings and is currently No. 2 in the world. Furthermore, he has also beaten World No. 1 Rafael Nadal twice, including his most recent win at the Sony Ericsson Open final this month, and is on the heated fight for the No.1 spot.
This Serbian professional tennis player has not only become the first player representing Serbia to win a Grand Slam, but also the youngest player ever in the Open era to reach the semifinals of the four major events of the year. His second Grand Slam title came too in Australia in 2008. Djokovic has the record for holding the No.3 spot in the rankings for most total and consecutive weeks, always falling behind Nadal and Federer.
He was a bronze medalist at the 2008 Olympic Games and in addition led his country to winning the Davis Cup at the end of 2010, adding this to his previous titles and seven Masters Cup titles.
Even though we have seen flashes of excellence and grandeur as Djokovic defeated the two top players in multiple occasions, he always fell short out on the big stage. But he now has the longest winning match streak behind tennis legend John McEnroe (situated at 39), and is pushing forward to consolidate himself at the top of the game.
After achieving the World No.2 ranking the previous week by winning the Indian Wells Masters cup, Djokovic lost only 18 games en route to the final of the Sony Ericsson Open. He crushed some of the best players in the game, including American sensation James Blake (6-0, 6-2) and Mardy Fish (6-3, 6-1). In the final, Djokovic beat World No.1 Rafael Nadal, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4) in a match that lasted 3 hours and 21 minutes. By winning this match, Djokovic is yet to lose a singles match this season. He also added another record to his resume, by being the first player to win the Australian Open, Indian Wells and Miami Masters triple, after Federer did that in 2006.
A double winner of the award for Best Sportsperson of Serbia and the award for Best Sportsperson by the Olympic Committee, will this young Serb be able to serve it out and become the first World No.1 Serbian tennis player? Results speak louder than words, and so far, he is on track to do so if he continues elevating his game into the clay court season.
