The Sensationalism of Novak Djokovic—Nathan’s Notice
By: Nathan M. Cuny
Well, well, well, Djokovic is still headlining the news this week with more awards and nominations. Boris Tadic, president of Serbia, gave the world No.1 tennis player his country’s highest honor, the Order of the Karadjordje’s Star of the 1st degree. Only one week ago Djokovic won the Oscar of the sports world. He became the Laureus Sportsman of the year for 2011, where he won three grand slams, began the season with a 41 match winning streak, and lost only 6 times. Even Cartoon Network has nominated Novak Djokovic in the channel’s Hall of Game Awards.
Djokovic has been nominated alongside Rafael Nadal under the “Sickest Showdown” category, after playing the longest match in Grand Slam history at the Australian Open final. The other athletes and teams nominated for the award are—St. Louis Cardinals vs. Texas Rangers: World Series Game 6/7 (MLB); New England Patriots vs. New York Giants: Super Bowl XLVI (NFL); and Carl Edwards vs. Tony Stewart: Sprint Cup Series (NASCAR). Now you can’t deny there’s something funny going on here. Somehow the world No.1 and No.2 tennis players were squeezed in amongst sports considered the United States greatest pastimes. Or perhaps Djokovic’s persona is spreading like wildfire and he will truly be a worldwide phenomenon.
On a much more serious note, after receiving Serbia’s highest honor, Djokovic stated, “I may have dreamed of lifting the trophy at Wimbledon, but I could never have thought that my country would reward me with such great honor. I am indebted to my people, and I will do my best to continue representing our beautiful country in the best possible way.” Serbia’s president, Boris Tadic, heightened that honor after commending Djokovic further, “Novak deserves the medal for special merits in representing Serbia.”
Djokovic is a national hero in his country and because of him tennis is the most popular sport in Serbia. He’s given the people of Serbia a sense of communal pride. He will carry that pride into London’s summer Olympics when he’ll stride through the opening ceremony, waving Serbia’s flag, ready to conquer. Who’s to say he shouldn’t carry the flag after having such a huge impact on his country.
The president of Serbia’s Tennis Federation, Vuk Jeremic, makes Djokovic sound more like Hercules, then a tennis player, saying, “People identify with Novak, and draw great inspiration from his can-do, never-give-up attitude. He’s the role model — unbreakable, devoted, patriotic, charismatic. No athlete in our history has become such a national hero. And as far as Serbia’s image abroad is concerned — can you think of a better public diplomacy vehicle?” Such an accomplished and respected individual must be a demigod.
If you’ve been anxious to see this demigod play all month you still have about 10 days until he returns for the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on February 27th, so keep your boot-straps tight!
Topics: Novak Djokovic
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