All posts tagged Novak Djokovic

Two Great Djokovic Tennis Games Of 2011

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The past two years have been incredible for the current world Number 1 mens tennis player Novak Djokovic. With a promising early career right from the beginning of the noughties, the Serb has quietly worked his way up the rankings and collecting victories before really bursting onto the worldwide tennis stage in 2011, where he managed to round up another 10 titles and trophies. This was the year that he also captured a record-breaking total of five ATP World Tour Masters 1000 titles and even managed to win high praise from tennis legend Pete Sampras who declared that Djokovics 2011 season was one of the best achievements in all of sports. Having triumphed over Nadal in 6 finals on three different surfaces, you could be forgiven for thinking that the 2011 season for Djokovic was all about the wins. It wasnt all plain sailing for the tennis star however, because along with the big wins came big losses. Lets take a look at two of the greatest Djokovic tennis games of last year, one of which was a big win and one of which was indeed a big loss.

The Big Win of 2011 Wimbledon
Incredibly in the run up to the biggest grass court tournament of the year, Djokovic played barely any grass court preparation. After his earth-shattering loss at the French Open (see below for more about that one!) he withdrew from the traditional Wimbledon warm-up event the Queens Clubs and only played a London exhibition match before walking into the most famous tennis arena in the world. This lack of preparation couldnt be seen in the Djokovic tennis game though; he was unstoppable and reached his way to the final where he met the equally powerful Rafael Nadal. With a classic championship point play, Djokovic won his first Wimbledon trophy, his second Major title of the season and fulfilled his ultimate childhood dream.

The Big Loss of 2011 Defeated by Federer at the French Open
The Djokovic tennis game seemed unstoppable in 2011, and for a long time it was. He was the man that all the great tennis players wanted to beat, and even though he was unbeaten when he went into the French Open he didnt remain that way for long. Incredibly, his loss in this major tournament was to Roger Federer, who actually didnt have as good a year on court as Federder. The Swiss ace brought a close to Djokovics 43-match winning streak, certainly a phenomenal achievement in itself, with a 7-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 triumph.

How Does The Nadal Tennis Game Compare To The Djokovic Tennis Game

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Both players are arguable considered to be 2 of the very best mens professional tennis players in the world, and with Djokovic and Nadal holding both the number 1 and number 2 spots respectively their performances on-court certainly do nothing to contradict this opinion. Both have particularly impressive tennis playing styles, the two players are easily able to dominate the matches that they participate in, but how does the Djokovic tennis game compare the Nadal tennis game and what is it about both players that makes them such powerful athletes?

Rafa Nadal stands out as a tennis player, not only for his skills and ability but also for his left-handed playing style. With a double-handed backhand as his most powerful playing position, he consistently plays an aggressive game situated on court as what tennis insiders refer to as a behind the baseline. With fast footwork and the ability to easily cover distances across the court, Nadal is a particularly aggressive and dominant defender and counter-puncher and no more is this evident than when he dominates his way through clay court matches.

By comparison, Novak Djokovic is a right-handed player but he also prefers the two-handed backhand shot. Unlike Nadal, who tends to stay behind the baseline and charges with pure speed and aggression during a game, Djokovic tends to use all of the court but does put some emphasis on being aggressive when on the baseline. With a backhand that many consider to be one of the very best in the mens tennis game today, the Djokovic tennis style shows superior agility, pace and precision.

Djokovic and Nadal are elite athletes, both in their prime in terms of ability and age, but what makes them such great tennis players is their ability to master both their playing styles and the games that they participate in. There are, of course, rare occasions when both players have lost matches (some of which have been surprising losses) but consistently they are able to dominate and control the games that they are playing in knowing exactly when to fully commit to aggressive forward-focused play and when to step back and defend. The two players understand the intricacies that are involved in setting up and successfully executing their powers shots, and also have a very exciting playing style that entertains crowds no matter where in the world they are playing.

Whether Djokovic is able to retain his number 1 position at the end of this tennis season remains to be seen, but one thing that is for certain is that when he faces Nadal both the crowd and their fellow players will be treated to exceptional examples of professional tennis.