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Journalism of Courage
With a new Grand Slam champion crowned at the Australian Open, the vultures are circling over Roger Federer8217;s head. The Swiss, though, is adamant that he is still the top man in world tennis.
The world rankings bear out the Swiss ace8217;s assertion but, make no mistake, there is a new pretender to his throne and a very credible one.
Not only did Novak Djokovic oust the world8217;s top-ranked player from the Australian Open semi-finals but on Sunday he took the Swiss champion8217;s crown.
It seems to sit comfortably on the amiable Serb8217;s head and Federer must now look beyond Rafael Nadal when he is searching for danger.
Djokovic certainly provides that.
While not quite kryptonite to Federer8217;s super-powers, Djokovic8217;s game does cause the Swiss problems. His victory over Federer was no fluke. It was as hard-earned as it was comprehensive. Not since Federer lost to Gustavo Kuerten in the 2004 French Open had he been beaten in straight sets at a Grand Slam.
Djokovic is as close to a brick wall as top-flight tennis gets. Metronomic in his rallying, he rarely makes an unforced error. But he is no one-dimensional counter-puncher. Powerful off both wings, he possesses a thunderous serve and a deft touch in the forecourt.
He is not short on confidence either.
8220;I8217;ve been working very hard in the past year and a half, so it8217;s paying off right now,8221; the Serb calmly told reporters after dumping Federer out in Melbourne.
8220;Obviously, everybody was trying to figure out the way they can win against Roger. I knew that I had to believe in myself in the first place, and I had to be positive on the court, not nervous, just to stay with him all the time, and be aggressive. That8217;s what I did.8221; Djokovic says his emergence is good for the sport.
8220;I think the dominance of Federer and Nadal8230; was just amazing the last couple of years. So I think it8217;s great for8230; tennis lovers all around the world, to see something new.8221;
Federer, though, is quick to remind any doubters that he suffered a viral illness before the Open and that his crown as world8217;s best is not in danger.
8220;I8217;ll definitely reflect on what happened,8221; Federer said after his defeat to Djokovic. 8220;You know, considering my illness, I8217;m sort of happy with the result here.
8220;Winning every other week, you know, lose a set and people say I8217;m playing bad. So it8217;s my own mistake, I guess.
8220;I definitely didn8217;t play my best on big points. That8217;s been sort of something that8217;s stuck with me throughout the championships maybe. But, look, it happens. I8217;ve done it so many times it went my way. It8217;s okay. Unfortunately it goes the other way, too, sometimes.8221;
Lleyton Hewitt8217;s former coach Roger Rasheed agrees.
8220;I think we just see one result, then decide to paint a certain picture, but I still think that Roger is the best player I have ever seen and he will go down as the all-time greatest,8221; Rasheed said.
8220;It8217;s a blip here but all credit goes to some other young guys who are putting their hands up and wanting to join Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal at the dinner table.8221;
