Guantanamera sounded. The song by Cuban Joseíto Fernández that has been a worldwide hit since the 1930s and has since been recorded in various languages and styles. And it sounded in Turin, in an Italian version for Novak Djokovic to dance.
The Serbian had a good reason to move his hips, because he fulfilled, in his own words, “every tennis player’s dream” and achieved “the most difficult thing to achieve in tennis”… for the eighth time. Djokovic received the ATP trophy for finishing the year at the top of the rankings and this Monday, November 20, he will score another symbolic mark when he completes 400 weeks at the top of the rankings. The new cup for his collection is the simple confirmation of what was already stamped in New York with his title at the US Open. That Djokovic was by beating the best of 2023 in an era where Grand Slams are worth much more than everything else. And Djokovic won three of four. He was one set away from getting the entire basket. Carlos Alcaraz became great by beating him in an epic match at Wimbledon that will remain forever in memory. In July the era of Spanish began, although it coexists with that of Serbian. The Djokovic era still feels like the most dominant not only because of what the numbers or letters engraved on the trophies say, but because since that fight in London in which he was defeated, Djokovic has won everything with his tennis and above all all with his head when the physicist reminds him that he is already 36 years old. Novak Djokovic in Turin // ATP In an era where minor tournaments are seen as a simple preparation for the big challenges and even the Masters 1000 sometimes seem not to matter as much as they should, Djokovic explained that in the remainder of his career, only Anything that makes him extend his mark in Grand Slams will have a place in his agenda. Or also get what is conspicuous by its absence. Because he is in Turin also thinking about the Davis Cup with Serbia, which in turn will be the access route to be able to be in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games for that golden obsession, so that no one dares to confront him that he may well have all the tennis trophies, but always failed to obtain the gold metal that hangs around the neck. They are the decisions and plans of the most mature version of the most successful player in history, who is also gladly embracing the role of villain. The one who for many years did not want to. After the time in which he earned the nickname “Djoker” thanks to his clownish imitations of María Sharapova, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Andy Roddick. There the laughter and approval of the public were the tip he wanted. He then went in peak of “Fedalian” love when much animosity began to brew. Someone arrived who immediately prevented Federer and Nadal from extending their records. Those matches occurred at the Phillippe Chatrier against Nadal in which almost the entire stadium pumped up the then 14-time Roland Garros champion and celebrated the Serbian’s mistakes. Now Djokovic prefers to smile. Ironically or not, when the public wakes up against him. “More, more, more,” he shouted at Paris Bercy, asking the boos and blunders to be felt louder. When contempt for him increases, so does his desire to win. And at this point he doesn’t seem to care what the people watching him in the stands or on TV think: Djokovic shows that attitude of a hungry competitor who doesn’t care about anything more than leaving the court with a victory. If you have to break rackets to get rid of frustration, they must be destroyed, just as they were against Holger Rune in his debut at the 2023 Masters Tournament. Djokovic destroyed his rackets in his match against Holger Rune in Turin // CAPTURE He already He has 40 Masters 1000, 24 Grand Slams, 400 weeks at number one in the ranking. Djokovic’s 2023 was outrageous, and he achieved it having played only 12 tournaments all season. «It was one of my best years. I won three Grand Slams and played in the final of the other… and it still wasn’t the best season of my life. In 2011 or 2015 I won more tournaments. I mean I also played a lot more events in those years, and this time I faced different circumstances because I played a lot less tournaments, so I managed to reach my peak level at the right times. That’s something that matters a lot to me,” Djokovic said. Number one in the face of the other seven best in the world. Those who played twice as many tournaments as him. Those who are still twenty-somethings with a fresh body, but next to the eight-time number one in tennis, it seems that their inexperience is coming out of their pores. If you are reading this it is because you like tennis and you enjoy the journalism we do. If you can and want to collaborate, invite us un COFFEE so we can continue telling the best #TennisStories around the world.
2023-11-13 20:02:14
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