Novak Djokovic: The Coolest Guy in Tennis—and in Sports

And the strangest thing? He doesn't get his just due.

On the men's ATP tennis circuit, Novak Djokovic has reached mythological status in 2011. He is 56-1 (tennis.com statistic).

No, Djokovic is not an “alien,” as Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, emphasized in an August 15, 2011, interview. But he is presently tennis' god, its extant Zeus.

And Djokovic likes it that way.

Djokovic now has a self-styled tennis swagger. He struts around the court proud, as Zeus must have strutted Olympus. On the court, Djokovic's personality exudes: “Yeah, I'm here. I'm in charge. Try and beat me—if you can.”

That's Djokovic cool. It's appealing. And it is so backed-up. Goodness knows tennis could use more of his earned charisma.

Speaking of beating Djokovic, right now, no one can. Djokovic has made Roger Federer a virtual relic as a champion, he has made Rafael Nadal cry uncle after defeating him, and he has made revivified players like Andy Murray, Juan Del Potro and Mardy Fish pay homage after he whips them.

Recently, Djokovic explained: “Look, I've become No. 1 of the world. I achieved my dreams. This is all that is going on in my head, all I'm thinking of, just enjoying the moment." (Ticker, August 11, 2011).

Indeed, his concentration and focus shows. On grass, clay, carpet or hard courts, Djokovic walks eminently and carries a vicious racket. And pretty much always wins.

One wonders, though, why the “King of Net Cool” doesn't get more “pub.” Really, who would you rather talk about in sports now: Djokovic or non-dynamic Adrian Gonzalez? Djokovic or crownless Michael Vick? Djokovic or forever-flinching LeBron James? Djokovic or clueless Tiger Woods?

The answer to all those questions is Djokovic. But often in the major sports publications, it isn't the response.

Interesting query: Doesn't the sports world like “cool” anymore?

If Djokovic wins the U.S. Open and keeps up his present pace overall, he is clearly the 2011 Sportsman of the Year. Hands down. No one on the international scene matches his year-to-date brilliance. Michael Phelps has slipped just slightly, the Kenyans split up the distance races, and no one in soccer is as dominant as Djokovic is in tennis.

On August 14, just yesterday, Djokovic beat Fish to win the ATP title at Montreal. Djokovic actually lost the second set. He came back to win the third and decisive set, 6-4, after Fish led in the third set, 3-2. More cool. More mindset. More myth-building resume.

We should all be taking more notice of and relishing that brassy air of invincibility that Djokovic is brandishing forth—and we should be hoping it lasts much longer.

Get your “cool” on.