Novak Djokovic: 2012 Australian Open Win Would Vault Djoker into All-Time Elite

The 2012 Australian Open is three-rounds deep, and Novak Djokovic has steamrolled his competition to start off the season on the right foot.

With an Australian Open title just a handful of matches away, is it safe to say that a repeat of the title at Melbourne puts Novak into the list of all-time greats? Without question, it would warrant this type of recognition.

A title in Australia would be the fifth Grand Slam of Djokovic's career and the fourth in his last five Grand Slam appearances. This feat alone would give merit to the statement that suggests Djokovic is among the greatest players to play the game.

Last year, with three Grand Slams, Djokovic had one of the more remarkable stretches of any player in tennis history.

The 2011 season would begin with a 43-game winning streak that would end with a loss to Roger Federer in the semifinals of the French Open in June.

Talk about an impressive run for the talent.

Yet, it must be remembered that if Djokovic isn't to repeat his 2011 success in 2012, this argument will temporarily be one of which has no merit.

Despite asserting himself as the best player in the sport, he is one year younger than 25-year-old Rafael Nadal, who boasts 10 Grand Slam titles and won three Grand Slams just two seasons ago in 2010.

As young as Djokovic is, there is no doubt that an Australian Open puts the top-notch talent into a new light in the game. Another Grand Slam would give him five for his career and, potentially, eight after this season if he can hold on against other top talents.

There is no question that Djokovic can and will achieve this status with time, yet a win in this tournament, reclaiming his Australian Open title, will give the Djoker an extra level of recognition early in his career.