Why Tennis Needs a New Rival for Novak Djokovic
Nobody can blame Novak Djokovic for suffocating the ATP World Tour. There’s not a big title that he does not hold or look to grab as the favorite. The world No. 1 is nearly invincible, with lately only an eye infection holding him back from competing for another trophy.
Djokovic has all but killed the drama from big matches in majors and Masters 1000 finals with scarcely an opponent to stand up to his remarkable play. But while domination can be fascinating for many tennis fans, others would like to see more competitive matches at the very top.
Tennis could use a new super-rival to breathe more life into men’s tennis.
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"Here's why world No. 1 #DjokerNole doesn't need to pick up a racket to still rule the tennis court. https://t.co/0a34LghyOd
— ESPNTennis (@ESPNTennis) February 23, 2016"
Fading Rivals
The greatest eras in tennis are filled with epic rivalries. There was Bjorn Borg vs. John McEnroe in the early 1980s, Pete Sampras vs. Andre Agassi in the 1990s and Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal to close the previous decade.
Tennis is more compelling when two superstars hit their peaks and go to war, often with major championship matches able to turn either direction. Fans rally around their favorite player and increase banter with opposing rooters. Message boards light up and tweets chirp across the digital world.
Already there is more nostalgia than appreciation for recent rivalries, because Djokovic stands head and shoulders above the other top players. Where once he was the hungry challenger trying to wedge himself into the epic showdowns between Federer and Nadal, Djokovic is suddenly on his own island. There is nobody who currently pushes him beyond his limits.
Djokovic first arrived at the top of the tennis world in 2011, but Nadal was able to turn the tables and beat him back at Roland Garros and the 2013 U.S. Open. A healthy, topnotch Nadal elevated the sport just two years ago, but the consensus from many experts is that Nadal is finished as a contending superstar.
Recently, a resurgent Federer brought more interest and eyes to tennis, but mostly with the hopes of those who wanted to see him topple the great Serbian. In reality, Federer was pushing uphill, and the younger Djokovic was too strong and resilient. Federer’s challenge has been admirable, but it hasn’t been enough for another Swiss major championship or a prime, epic rivalry.
Last month, Djokovic drubbed Federer in the Australian Open semifinals, and then he spent nearly a month recovering from knee surgery. There are reasonable questions about his total fitness and stamina going forward.
How about Andy Murray? Maybe he was a rival for one year from summer 2012 through Wimbledon 2013, but the Scot’s absolute peak coincided with a relative slump from Djokovic. Trying to take on the world was taking its toll, and the Serbian had to learn to lift his game and pace himself at a higher level. Since 2015, mission accomplished.
Murray could steal a huge match or two in the near future, and possibly win a major title from Djokovic, but it’s very unlikely he can be Djokovic’s equal. They are only a week apart in age, but Djokovic’s talent and results have flown far beyond Murray’s blue-collar scrappiness. The Scot gets the most of his talent, but the only way he competes with Djokovic is if the champion comes down a level or two. It’s a one-sided mini-rivalry at best.
How about Stan Wawrinka? The barrell-chested Swiss outhit Djokovic on his way to the 2014 Australian title, and then he executed a nearly perfect 2015 French Open final. ESPN’s Peter Bodo wrote that Wawrinka is “the biggest threat to Djokovic’s reign,” but that’s quite a stretch.
Wawrinka can compete with Djokovic on slow surfaces for an occasional big match, but the Swiss is maddeningly inconsistent from one tournament to the next. He can hit himself out of a match or pack it in when things go bad. More important, he’s a late bloomer who will fade away long before Djokovic’s major-winning days have ended. He has never been a legendary rival for Djokovic.
Is Djokovic fated to dominate a few more years without a true rival?
New Tennis Blood?
One thing has been clear. Second-tier stars like Tomas Berdych, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and injury-plagued Juan Martin del Potro are not going to pick up the gauntlet. Their ships left the harbor long ago. Talented Marin Cilic has not built on his 2014 U.S. Open title, and slight Kei Nishikori does not have the firepower to knock back Djokovic.
The tennis world has either conceded Planet Earth to King Novak, or the natives jump whenever anyone puts together flashes of a great week or two.
Last week, 20-year-old Nick Kyrgios impressively won his first title, a level-250 tournament in Marseille, and it becomes tempting to believe that he is on the fast track to rivaling Djokovic. Maybe it would be more realistic to see if he can win Indian Wells or get to a Wimbledon final.
On clay, Austrian Dominic Thiem has been steadily increasing his endurance and power. Is he the new red-clay threat who could deny Djokovic his French Open title and his greatest chance for the Grand Slam?
Compelling and hopeful stories for tennis fans, for sure, but it also illustrates just how desperately tennis is searching for a big No. 2.
How about Djokovic? Would another super-rival help him reach even higher, stay sharper and evolve into the undisputed best player we’ve ever seen? Does he need another great rival for even greater acclaim, or will he pick up some of the "weak-era" criticism that has long been directed at Federer when he crushed the ATP tour from 2004 to '07 with only young, clay-court Nadal to stand up to him?
Whatever perception tennis fans choose, there’s no denying that tennis could indeed thrive more with another rising star or two.
Djokovic is no doubt enjoying his domination, but he’s also a ruthless competitor who would rise up to take on a super challenger. He might even be the first one to sign up a super-rival.
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