Novak Djokovic: Why He's No. 1

How punishing and dominant has Novak Djokovic been in 2011?

Well, after losing to the Serbian ace in Madrid only a few days ago, a despondent, relenting, but frank Raphael Nadal (still figuratively the world's top-ranked player) said: The No. 1 is finished. This is the reality....For now I can't beat him."

Of course, the "him" Nadal was referring to was Novak Djokovic. How telling.

At the time of this writing, Djokovic is undefeated in 2011, having won thirty-two straight matches this year. He is officially ranked number two in the world. In addition to humbling Nadal all year long, he has beaten the once-thought unbeatable Roger Federer three times in a row.

Currently, there is no one left for Novak Djokovic to beat. There is a possibly he could get bored this year with winning so much. But perhaps not. Because with every victory, he displays a fiery victorious countenance.

He outwardly enjoys the destruction of his adversaries, while speaking softly, genuinely, and professionally about such triumphs afterward.

Djokovic's rise has been a long time coming, Before 2011, Djokovic was historically known on the tour as "The Joker," partly because of his deft celebrity impressions and his kidding demeanor, but equally because his frequent breathing problems and injury affairs—his tournament "quits"—left many aficionados doubting his intentions.

Flash forward to the new fit-as-a-fiddle Djokovic. Indeed in every respect in 2011 Djokovic can match Raphael Nadal (formerly recognized as tennis' fittest competitor) in fitness level.

And because of his superior fitness, Djokovic does not bow his head as frequently as he once did when he loses a key point in a match. He now has the inner confidence that he can rebound.

Djokovic further explains, as quoted earlier this year from the Melbourne, Australia publication, The Age:

"It all comes from [the] head, it's all mentality. You know, I'm a baseline player and the game has changed a lot since [the] last 15 years. You had serve and volley player[s] 15 years ago ruling the game, and then today you have the baseliners, which goes to my favour obviously. But I think the important thing for today's tennis is to have this variety in the game, to be able to play defensively and offensively at the same time."

When Djokovic says "it's all mentality," there is righteousness in his declaration. Djokovic is mentally tougher because he is fitter. Moreover, he has presently conquered all of the conditions:

No tennis surface can set Novac Djokovic back (are American tennis players listening?). This fact increases Djokovic's sense of self as the year unfolds.

The super Serb has serenely swept through victorious on all surfaces this year, even on slippery clay, as when he beat the Spaniard Feliciano Lopez to win his home crown at the Serbian Open, just a couple of weeks ago.

Djokovic's success seems to be a simple matter of dedication. An athletic awakening which has been fearlessly turned into execution. He no longer dances the old jig, but moonwalks skill-wise above all comers.

Watch Djokovic win and the rationale is clear. He's a mid-racket stroker, a thinker, and a gambler on his side of the net.

Andy Murray, in lamenting his Australian Open Finals' loss to Djokovic this past January, added perspective: "You always have to try to find a way, to believe," Murray said. "When I got ahead in some games, even in just points, he was sticking up lobs that were landing on the baseline, passing shots that were on the line. I broke his serve twice in the third set and still lost 6-3."

Yes, the top players on the ATP World Tour, like the number four-ranked Murray, can occasionally break Djokovic's serve, but they cannot break his will. So that often Djokovic will break right back, thereby frustrating even top-ten opponents.

To view Djokovic's game is a pleasure. For example, it is enjoyable to see a supreme talent like him crunch forehands with Nadal on clay at devastating court angles, or see him match passing shots with Roger Federer from impossible court positions.

And Djokovic stands tall when he hits strokes with the best, immediately ready for more. This is deflating for the Federers and Nadals who are used to sometime winners from opponents but who are not used to consistent winners being hit against them.

Deflating—and confusing—for sure, as one can see how downcast the Federers and Nadals are after losing this year to Djokovic. These two adversaries of Djokovic have not nearly figured him out yet.

They assumed men's tennis would revolve around them for the next few years—as it has previously—but that assumption has been smashed to pieces via Djokovic's racket.

Novak Djokovic is good for the game. He has a bit of dash and personality to him. This helps him get along, winning-wise. Tennis needs all of the pepper, panache, and pizzazz it can get. And Djokovic evokes something, too.

As I was researching this article at the University of Washington library, the library assistant who apparently had not even heard of Djokovic, said upon seeing him: "Ooh, what a handsome man"! (She wasn't bad-looking herself.)

Most of Djokovic's own off-court verbal elicitations are just expressed summarily and sincerely (in contrast to his striking and flashy play on the court), as in the way he articulated following his win at the Serbian Open:

"I'm definitely happy to win another title and to move on. Now, there is a period of two months in front of me, which are really important," said Djokovic. "I need to stay healthy and I need to stay fit in order to play well. The streak is something I don't really think about. I am flattered that people compare me to greats like Lendl, McEnroe, Federer, and Nadal - guys who have made history on the tennis court. But I have more goals to achieve this year. Obviously the No. 1 ranking is still far away, even though I've been winning every match I've played this year and won five titles in a row. But I know I need to do more and if I ever get to that No. 1 in the world it would be a dream come true for me because it has been the ambition of my tennis career."