US Open Preview: 5 Reasons Tourney Is Novak Djokovic's to Lose

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Novak Djokovic is on top of the tennis world. 

For the last year, there has been no one better.  He has simply been great. 

This season, Djokovic transformed himself from very good to elite status. 

His unbelievable run is something to marvel at.  He is on a tear, and the 2011 U.S. Open is his to lose.

Here is why.

 

Novak Djokovic's Player Profile

Born: May 22, 1987 (24 years old)

Birthplace: Belgrade, Serbia

Residence: Monte Carlo, Monaco

Height: 6'2'' (188 cm)

Weight: 176 (80 kg)

Plays: Right-handed

Turned Pro: 2003 (nine years pro)

Winning Streak

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Djokovic is now an incredible 53-1 this season. 

His only loss was versus Roger Federer in the French Open semifinal. 

Before losing to Federer, he had won 41 matches in a row to start the season and 43 dating back to last season. 

Since that four-set loss, Djokovic has strung together 17 straight wins, including winning the Rogers Cup and the prestigious Wimbledon Trophy. 

Djokovic's winning streak has him brimming with...

Confidence

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Confidence. 

Djokovic knows he is the best player in the world. 

If he plays his game, no one can beat him. 

In 2011, he has won nine titles with a perfect 29-0 on hard courts. 

The U.S Open is played on a hard court, boding well for Djokovic. 

This past weekend Djokovic became the first player since Pete Sampras in 1993 to claim an ATP tournament in his first outing as World No. 1.

After the victory, he had this to say to USA Today:

"I am human—I can definitely assure you of that," the 24-year-old Serb said. "I guess it's just all about having a positive attitude on the court every day, waking up every day wanting to improve, wanting to win, being determined, being professional. It's that desire and motivation that keeps me going. Every match I play, I try to win, regardless which match is it or whoever is across the net."

Consistency

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Consistency is the name of the game for Novak Djokovic. 

After defaulting in the Rogers Cup semifinal, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga had this to say of Djokovic:

"He plays incredible tennis, but he's not an alien," added Tsonga. "In fact, what he does is doing everything better than the others ... He doesn't hit harder, he doesn't hit the ball earlier. But he's always there.  He does not have the best return on the tour. But on every return, he returns well, and he's always there. So what does it is his consistency—he has no weaknesses."

It certainly seems as though he has no weaknesses in his game this year. 

However, I have to disagree with Tsonga. 

Djokovic has the best return on tour and is blessed with a lethal backhand. 

Djokovic is at the right place at the right time almost every play.

Owns His Top Competitors

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It is no secret that the three best tennis players in the world are Novak Djokovic, Rafeal Nadal and Roger Federer. 

However, there hasn't been much competition from the top. 

This season, Djokovic is 3-1 versus Federer and 5-0 versus Nadal. 

On hard courts, he has been a far superior player and will continue to be.

Intangibles

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Djokovic, 24, is tall and slender and has amazing footwork. 

He is in the best shape of his life after switching to a gluten-free diet. 

Novak is a great technical player as he commands the game. 

However,  one thing that has his career booming is his intangibles.  Djokovic is as hard working as any tennis player and has the will to be great. 

Even when he doesn't play his best he can get the job done. 

Djokovic has already won the Australian and Wimbledon titles. 

Expect Novak Djokovic to win his third Grand Slam title later this month.