Congratulations Novak Djokovic, GOAT of Boring!! “Screeching halt! Really? You’ve got to be kidding?” Before the hate mail comes in, hear me out. Novak’s US Open victory was brilliant, masterful, and a dagger into the hearts of anyone who believes that Nadal or Federer challenge his GOAT status. Here we are about 2 weeks past and I’m just now writing about it. Why? I wrote about Coco the same day she won. I’ve been writing every week and sometimes twice a week for months. I picked the US Open final to “take a break?” I’ve thought about it quite a bit and come to a clear conclusion. I’m not inspired. I’m bored. Let’s get started.
Never in Doubt
This felt different than a few years ago when Djokovic had the weight of the world on his back going for the calendar year grand slam. From the early break right out of the gate, it felt like Djokovic would not be denied. Yes, credit to Medvedev, who played Djokovic at least even and I’d argue outplayed him from 0-3 down until the end of the 2nd set. That stretch was a microcosm of Djokovic’s career whenever he has been pushed. He battles. He looks like he’s falling off for stretches. He hangs in there. He finds a way. He wears you down. Just like I never thought for a moment that Djere would beat him after going up two sets, I never doubted Djokovic here either.
Greatest Improvement of All Time
Novak has become the most complete player in the game. Early in his career, he needed to rely on defense, movement, and the return of serve. His forehand was mediocre. His 2nd serve was suspect. His 1st serve, nothing great. Fitness? Questionable. Now, he has no weaknesses. His forehand can dominate. His spot-serving and ability to hit serves when he needs them is elite. He’s the fittest on the planet. And he still has the greatest return ever and the greatest movement ever. Medvedev went toe-to-toe in baseline extended rallies. He showed a toughness and willingness to endure and prevail on the most grinding of points. So what. Djokovic changed tactics to serve and volley. Medvedev knew this was coming. He’d seen it from Djokovic before, but could do nothing to stop it. Djokovic’s volley quality was off the charts.
Greatest Consistent High Level of Play Ever
No one has ever consistently played this high a level. Djokovic is always on. He rarely has a bad set with sloppy errors. Has anyone ever used the word “sloppy” to describe his play? Other players play at 100% of their ability for stretches, then drop to 50% then go back to 80% and bounce around. Djokovic stays somewhere around 90% all the time and bounces within a very narrow range. His lowest level and his peak are just not that far apart. You have to play amazing to beat him. In a best of 3 setting, that can happen. In best of 5, no way. Opponents cannot maintain the level needed long enough. Alcarez found a way to manage his peaks and valleys and overcome Djokovic at Wimbledon. It was one match. Djokovic has 24 slams and just about every other meaningful record over nearly 20 years.
Novak Djokovic, GOAT of Boring
After all that I’ve written, how can I still say boring? Is Novak’s style of play boring? No, it is inspiring. Is his on court demeanor boring? No, he plays with passion and genuine emotion. Is Djokovic unable to wow with incredible shot-making? No, he plays unbelievable points with amazing shot-making all the time. So what is it? Well, it’s….expected. All of it is expected. When Tom Brady went to another Super Bowl, there was still an excitement, “Can he do it again?” feeling. When Michael Jordan went to another NBA finals, there was still an anticipation, “Can anyone stop him?” feeling. When Tiger Woods challenged for another major, there was still a “Wow, we may be watching the greatest of all time” enthusiasm. For Djokovic, it’s expected. It’s so expected that it is boring. He’s been doing it for so long and so consistently and passes every challenge and digs deep in the big moments and finds a way to overcome and demonstrates unbelievable skill and mental toughness and fitness like no other and so on and so on and so on.
In Conclusion
So what am I saying? Novak Djokovic, GOAT of Boring is THE highest compliment. No one has ever been so great, so consistent, with outcomes so expected. No one has ever gone so far to the highest levels of greatness so many times for so many years that people get bored of it. Not in tennis. Not in any sport. Serena came close and perhaps injuries stopped her more than opponents. Djokovic surpasses Brady, Jordan, Woods. Bring your best argument for anyone in any sport. I’ll take Novak. To transcend and dominate a sport to the extent that it becomes “ho-hum” is unheard of.
So congratulations Novak Djokovic, GOAT of Boring!! No one has ever been your equal. What do you think? Let’s talk tennis!
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