Mr. Popular—Nathan’s Notice

Written by: Staff on 11th February 2012

Mr. Popular—Nathan’s Notice |

By: Nathan M. Cuny

Novak Djokovic is headlining tennis news once again, this time without even playing any tournaments. His most recent and largest accomplishment came after winning the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award. The award is similar to an Oscar for an actor, meaning Djokovic is an extremely popular athlete worldwide. Djokovic’s biggest rival Rafael Nadal won the award in 2011 after his remarkable year in 2010 where he won three grand slams. And of course Roger Federer has won the award several times—his first nomination came in 2004, then from 2005 through 2008 Federer won the award consecutively and received his last nomination in 2010.

Having tennis players win the Laureus Sportsman of the year award for nearly six straight years distinctly shows the growing impact of tennis in the world as a major sport. As the popularity of tennis rises so are its stars and the intensity of the matches. Players like No.1 Novak Djokovic and No.2 Rafael Nadal are constantly making history, like in this year’s Australian Open finals match, which was the longest Grand Slam final ever.

Djokovic will never forget the Grand Slam final where he and Nadal made history, recently stating, “The impressions are the same, it is the most exciting match I ever played. Both of us made history and unfortunately there had to be only one winner. We both said we enjoyed the pain, the physical suffering we had that night because it was a great cause: the finals of a grand slam, No 1 versus No 2. We were both looking for the best possible start of the year and, to be honest, he would have been a worthy winner and would have deserved to take the trophy that night. I was very fortunate to be in that position in the end. We both can be proud of our performances.”

Both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have been in recovery mode since the final, watching the Davis Cup from their homes as they prepare for the first Master’s 1000 tournament of the season at Indian Wells. Djokovic has huge hopes for the season. His heart and soul are set on winning the fabled Golden Slam, a feat only accomplished once in 1988 by Steffi Graff. Winning the Australian open places him one-fifth of the way towards his goal. To finalize it Djokovic needs to win the French Open—a feat he is yet to accomplish—the US Open, Wimbledon, and snatch the Olympic Gold from the man who wants it even more than him, Roger Federer. Winning the Golden Slam would be a major feat for Novak Djokovic and could possibly begin a new era in tennis.

Topics: Golden Slam, Laureus World Sportsman Of The Year, Novak Djokovic