Djokovic floors Nadal again
Source: Agencies |
May 17, 2011, Tuesday
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NOVAK Djokovic is just starting to get used to hearing his name mentioned in the same breath as the legends of the game.
The seemingly unstoppable Serb stretched his unbeaten start to the season to 37 matches on Sunday with a 6-4, 6-4 win over top-ranked Rafael Nadal in the Italian Open final in Rome.
Djokovic's streak trails only John McEnroe's 42-0 start in 1984. Overall, the 23-year-old has won 39 consecutive matches stretching back to Serbia's Davis Cup triumph in December, seven behind Guillermo Vilas' Open era record set in 1977.
"It's an incredible honor to be a part of tennis history in some way and part of an elite group of players - Federer, Nadal, McEnroe, (Ivan) Lendl, guys who were winning so many in a row," Djokovic said. "I don't know how much good it brings to tennis, but it's good that someone else is able to win other than just Federer and Nadal. It makes it more interesting."
The second-ranked Djokovic has racked up seven titles already this year, and beaten Nadal in all four finals they've played this year.
He defeated the Spaniard for the first time on clay in last week's Madrid Open final and this win makes him the first player to beat Nadal on clay twice in the same year, a feat that comes exactly a week before the French Open starts.
When asked which record he prized most, Djokovic said: "I'm just most happy about the game I have this year on clay, the way I'm striking the ball and the way I'm so self-confident," he eventually responded. "I always knew I could beat the top players, but now I have the confidence to do it."
Djokovic's edge over Nadal could enable him to overtake his rival for the No. 1 ranking the week after the French Open.
"He's doing amazing things. Every match he's very tough mentally and physically," Nadal said. "I'm doing everything I can. I can't ask myself anymore now. I'm doing very well but one player is doing better than me. I am waiting every week to try solutions, so let's see."
Nadal said it's "impossible" for Djokovic's streak to go on forever. "I have to wait for my moment to win and I know that," the Spaniard said.
Djokovic attributed his win in Madrid partly to the altitude and faster conditions there. The conditions at the Foro Italico are more similar to those in Paris.
"Whatever the conditions I needed to step into the court and take chances and be aggressive," said Djokovic, who also won this title in 2008. "That's really the only way against Nadal on clay."
The seemingly unstoppable Serb stretched his unbeaten start to the season to 37 matches on Sunday with a 6-4, 6-4 win over top-ranked Rafael Nadal in the Italian Open final in Rome.
Djokovic's streak trails only John McEnroe's 42-0 start in 1984. Overall, the 23-year-old has won 39 consecutive matches stretching back to Serbia's Davis Cup triumph in December, seven behind Guillermo Vilas' Open era record set in 1977.
"It's an incredible honor to be a part of tennis history in some way and part of an elite group of players - Federer, Nadal, McEnroe, (Ivan) Lendl, guys who were winning so many in a row," Djokovic said. "I don't know how much good it brings to tennis, but it's good that someone else is able to win other than just Federer and Nadal. It makes it more interesting."
The second-ranked Djokovic has racked up seven titles already this year, and beaten Nadal in all four finals they've played this year.
He defeated the Spaniard for the first time on clay in last week's Madrid Open final and this win makes him the first player to beat Nadal on clay twice in the same year, a feat that comes exactly a week before the French Open starts.
When asked which record he prized most, Djokovic said: "I'm just most happy about the game I have this year on clay, the way I'm striking the ball and the way I'm so self-confident," he eventually responded. "I always knew I could beat the top players, but now I have the confidence to do it."
Djokovic's edge over Nadal could enable him to overtake his rival for the No. 1 ranking the week after the French Open.
"He's doing amazing things. Every match he's very tough mentally and physically," Nadal said. "I'm doing everything I can. I can't ask myself anymore now. I'm doing very well but one player is doing better than me. I am waiting every week to try solutions, so let's see."
Nadal said it's "impossible" for Djokovic's streak to go on forever. "I have to wait for my moment to win and I know that," the Spaniard said.
Djokovic attributed his win in Madrid partly to the altitude and faster conditions there. The conditions at the Foro Italico are more similar to those in Paris.
"Whatever the conditions I needed to step into the court and take chances and be aggressive," said Djokovic, who also won this title in 2008. "That's really the only way against Nadal on clay."
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