The New No.1 Rivalry – Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal

Written by: Staff on 15th September 2011

The New No.1 Rivalry - Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal

Novak Djokovic of Serbia hits a return to Rafael Nadal of Spain during the men's final match on the fifteenth day of the 2011 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA 12 September 2011. The men's final is being played on a Monday for the fourth straight year due to weather delays. EPA/JASON SZENES |

by: Nathan M. Cuny

Imagine a 176 pound 6 foot 2 inch Serb pitted against a 188 pound 6 foot 1 inch Spaniard. Both nimble gorillas are armed with rackets ready to pound projectiles at bullet speeds towards the other. One, possibly the world’s greatest (which even the Serb has attested to) has lost his long held No.1 spot in defeat to this mighty Serb—the first man in seven years to take the position from either of two men. Now who is this man I am talking about?

Djokovic. The one and only new No. 1 Djokovic! The world of tennis better be ready for the ever-rising talents of this man, and Federer better move out of the way as the new rivalry is born between Nadal, and Djokovic. Within the last year Djokovic has won 10 titles, defeating Nadal six times. That’s quite impressive considering the only current player with such similar feats is Federer—but the days of his famous rivalry with Nadal are over.

How can Djokovic, who has finished out as No. 3 consecutively over the last four years suddenly (or at least it seems suddenly) rise to No. 1. I’ll tell you. Steroids! Just kidding, don’t take that seriously. Determination. He’s even said so himself, that every bit of his will is aimed on the win. Djokovic’s mental game is on, and seeing as tennis requires as much mental aptitude as physical, you could say that Djokovic is in Nadal’s head. With two more Master’s Titles up for grabs in Shanghai and Paris, plus the Barclays World Tour Finals in November, Djokovic better remain in Nadal’s head if he plans on finishing the 2011 year as No. 1.

Looking at the new No. 1 it’s fitting the new rivalry is born between Djokovic and Nadal who are nearer in age, compared to Federer. Federer, now in his thirties had his peak consecutive years as No. 1 between the ages of 23 and 26, roughly the current ages of Djokovic and Nadal. As age creeps in on Federer, who has nobly remained in the top rankings, it’s only fitting that his position as Nadal’s rival is overtaken by the younger opponent Djokovic.

It’s now 65 days and so many hours and minutes to the finals. Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer might be friendly off the court, but on the court it will be war. Federer has won the Barclays Finals four times over the last eight years, and even Djokovic took home the Barclays title once. This year Nadal has another shot at winning the finals which he has yet to accomplish. With so much at stake, and the new rivalry born, which of the top two tennis warriors, Djokovic or Nadal, will take home the goblet? Will Federer make a comeback, proving he’s still got it and isn’t growing too old for the game? Will we see the No. 4 player Murray pull a Djokovic, surprising us and his opponents during the next three title shots? All I can say is, if I had money, I’d put it on…that’s for you to decide.

(Author: Nathan M. Cuny)

Follow 10SBALLS.COM on:

Facebook:

Twitter:

10sBalls Top Stories

In Case You Missed It

EUGENIE BOUCHARD NAMED 2018 TENNIS CANADA FEMALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR / EUGENIE BOUCHARD NOMMÉE JOUEUSE DE L’ANNÉE 2018 DE TENNIS CANADA

Tennis Canada announced on Wednesday that Eugenie Bouchard is the winner of the 2018 Excellence Awards in the Female Player of the Year and Singles Player of the Year categories.

TENNIS NEWS • CALIFORNIA CHAMPIONSHIPS • TOMMY HAAS, TAYLOR FRITZ, STEVE JOHNSON, MARDY FISH AND MORE

Time to get tickets to watch! Surly you have heard about The Largest Open Tennis Event in America!

TENNIS NEWS • RAFA NADAL CONFIRMS RETURN TO PRACTICE, EYES ABU DHABI EXHIBITION AND AUSTRALIAN SUMMER

According to Uncle Toni, Rafael Nadal was supposed to be back at practice on either Dec. 4 or 5. Well, better late than never!

Conchita Martínez prepara la temporada 2019 de Karolina Pliskova en Tenerife

Española y checa ya trabajaron juntas durante el pasado Open de Estados Unidos

ALEJANDRO’S FAVORITE PHOTOS FOR 10SBALLS FROM SOME OF THIS YEAR’S TOURNAMENTS

Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia hits a forehand to Kaia Kanepi of Estonia during her second round match at the Nature Valley International tennis tournament in Eastbourne, Great Britain, on Tuesday, June 26, 2018.