US Open Tennis 2011: Novak Djokovic Will Prove Rafael Nadal Is Old News

Novak Djokovic proved in the semifinals of the U.S. Open against Roger Federer that he's not only the best tennis player of 2011, he may be the best player from here on out.

It seems outlandish to even suggest, given Federer and Rafael Nadal are still playing, a pair of legends that have a combined 26 Grand Slam singles titles to their name.

But they know as well as anybody that Djokovic can simply not be beaten right now. He's arguably the greatest returner in tennis, and his consistency at 24 years of age is the reason he may emerge as the next great in men's tennis.

I know, I know, it's premature. It's like when people called Rory McIlroy the next Tiger Woods when he dominated one tournament.

But, honestly, Djokovic is younger than Nadal, he's certainly younger than Federer. Not only that, he's actually getting better as the year progresses, both in his skill set and his mental game.

Whether you chalk Djokovic's thrilling five-set victory over Federer as declining play by a 30-year-old or spectacular play by a 24-year-old, the one thing that is certain is that it was one of the great matches of all time. It was certainly one of the greatest comebacks of all time.

It almost seems impossible. Federer was one point, one point, away from finishing a player that appeared rattled by the crowd's affection for Federer. He was up 40-15, with a 5-3 set advantage against the Serb.

Djokovic was actually mocking the crowd's roars for Federer, clapping his hands against his racket, seeming ready to call it quits. He was smiling on a game-deciding point, for crying out loud.

But on the ensuing serve, Djokovic hit a cross-court forehand return that nicked the outside line, a shot that John McEnroe called "one of the all-time great shots."

That shot turned the match, and the crowd, in Djokovic's favor as he went on to win, 7-5, in the final set.

What's more, his comeback turned one of the most respected tennis players ever into a sniveling, snotty elitist who came up with every single excuse in the book why Djokovic didn't deserve his victory.

Don't mistake that for disrespect, folks. That's simply feeling threatened.

If Djokovic wins against Nadal on Monday in the men's final of the U.S. Open, it's not inconceivable to say he could dominate from here on out.

It sounds like lunacy, but it's the truth. If Nadal and Federer can't defeat Djokovic this year, and Djokovic continues to improve, why would they be able to defeat him as they get older?

It sounds crazy, but Monday night may be one of Nadal's last stands.