Novak Djokovic: How Much Longer Before We Consider Him One of the Best Ever?

In the past several years, the world of tennis has seen an era that featured two of the all-time greats, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, at the top. It's quite different now, though, as a new man has taken the throne.

Novak Djokovic has proved that he has what it takes to beat the Spanish champion and his long-time Swiss rival, so is it time that we can throw him into the discussion of the greatest players the game has ever seen?

Sorry, Djoker fans; it's still much too early for that. However, that doesn't mean it's not something likely for the future.

Novak's name is already set to go down in history because of his accomplishments in 2011, which can definitely be ranked as one of the best individual seasons in tennis history. With a staggering record of 70-6, including six victories over Nadal and three Grand Slam titles, his year won't be one that is soon forgotten.

Having said that, I don't think it would be sensible to call him one of the greatest players of all time until he builds a strong career, rather than just one phenomenal season. A few specific accomplishments would speed the process up and put him in a class with the greats.

For one thing, if he continues to exhibit more 2011-style domination in the coming years, he will at the very least be defining the early 2010s as the Djokovic era. That would have to consist of no less than two Grand Slam titles per year for the next three or four seasons.

A title in the 2012 French Open would also boost his status as a potential legend. Not only would a victory at Roland Garros clinch the career Grand Slam for the Serb; it would also be the completion of what is already being termed a Djoker Slam (four consecutive slams), a feat that is just one small step below the Calendar Slam.

Finally, there is little to be said in denial of the fact that winning the coveted Calendar Slam would instantly place Djokovic in the ring with the legends. With the rarity of this accomplishment, and the competition that he is currently facing, a 2012 Calendar Slam would be right up there as one of the best achievements in sports history.

Without a doubt, calling Novak Djokovic one of the all-time greats at this point would be premature. With the way he's been playing, though, it is definitely possible that he will earn his place among the legends in just a few short years. Only time will tell whether or not the Serb proves himself as a prominent figure in tennis history.