UNDER REGISTRATION
MIGUEL A. HERGUEDAS
@herguedas
Madrid
Tuesday, March 9, 2021 - 02:06
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Federer's last challenge.
"He will have more pain"
Serena Williams.
An uncertain goodbye and between tears
«It is difficult to be the third in contention in a
show
organized for two.
It is difficult to see yourself as a misfit, as someone who has not gotten the recognition that he would have received in any other era of tennis.
This categorical verdict bears the signature of
Chris Bowers
, one of the greatest specialists around the figure of
Novak Djokovic
, the player who has led the ATP ranking for the longest time in history.
One week more than
Roger Federer
at 'number one' and 102 more than
Rafa Nadal
.
The
inability of both to contain their overwhelming advance is summarized in one fact: 11 of the last 25 Grand Slam in play ended in the power of
Nole
.
The most dominant tennis player of the last decade, however, continues to suffer deeply from the recurring comparisons.
How is it possible that his wound is still open?
Bowers, in conversation with EL MUNDO, notes some responses: «He feels that he does not have the gratitude of a large part of the public.
He has never been comfortable in that regard.
It is something terrible ", underlines the author of
Novak Djokovic, The Biography
(John Blake Publishing, 2017), one of the most complete texts on the tennis player from Belgrade.
So many years used to the spotlights pointing in another direction,
Nole
now shines his laurels with a naturalness not without humor.
"Today is a great day," he limited himself to sliding yesterday through his social networks.
Not a word more.
Neither thanks to his loyal coaching staff, nor presumption, however human it seemed after 311 weeks as 'number one'.
“He has always had trouble detecting what is going on around him.
He worries too much about the environment that surrounds him and he is not always right.
He was recently accused of being arrogant for his comments on the quarantine conditions at the Australian Open.
But it is not about arrogance, but about the difficulty to adapt and fit in, "says Bowers, with more than three decades of experience on the circuit.
"I must choose well"
The British journalist cannot hide his fascination with the most heterodox element of the
Big three
.
'People love Federer and Nadal.
Not only because they are two magnificent guys, but because they represent two opposing styles.
Roger is the boy that any mother would adopt, while Rafa has that muscular and intrepid air.
Therefore, the irruption of Djokovic was going to suppose an evident dissonance.
“Unlike them, Novak came from a family, I would not say poor, but modest.
After the dissolution of Yugoslavia and the birth of Serbia, it was very difficult for their people to raise enough money to be a professional.
And this fact marked all its later development, “explains Bowers.
Today, at 33 years old, that boy already has 18
majors
, only two less than Federer and Nadal.
Rather than improve, I think he's gotten smarter on the track.
Continuing to increase that account is the "only priority" for Nole, according to his biographer, who points to an increasingly condensed calendar.
A dozen tournaments, little more.
"I don't feel tired or old, but I have to choose well," admitted Djokovic after lifting his ninth trophy in Melbourne.
Until when, then, can he stay on top?
"The two essential elements will be your physique and your motivation," Bowers responds.
According to ATP data, an average Federer victory was usually resolved by 6-2, 6-2 in just one hour of tennis, but Novak must extend almost 30 more minutes.
"Djokovic needs more effort and work," Bowers illustrates with didactic thoroughness.
"After 45 minutes, with a set in favor and a 4-1 advantage in the second, Federer has risky resources such as drops or blows with a lot of angle that Djokovic does not dominate with such authority, so he ends up wearing more", develops a of the most recognizable voices on the ATP podcast.
In this way, his prediction is conclusive: «He will add two or three
majors
more, although I do not think I can maintain the intensity and motivation necessary to continue at this level until 38 or 39 years, "Bowers warns.
For now, there is nothing left but to enjoy with this
tennis from another dimension
, similar to the one shown at the Australian Open 2019 or Wimbledon 2018, perhaps the peaks of his career.
“More than improving, I think he has gotten smarter on the track.
Over the years, he has slowed down, but his anticipation has improved and he makes up for it. "
The formula for success is based on exemplary nutritional habits, many hours of work with the Argentine physiotherapist
Ulises Badio
and other moments of disconnection with yoga.
Not even the usual outbursts of
Goran ivanisevic
, the technician who accompanied him to Melbourne, have generated earthquakes.
«The only time I was concerned about his surroundings was when
Pepe Imaz
He took a leading role that he did not deserve », Bowers launches, with accurate aim.
At the end of 2018, the break with the
controversial
guru
Spanish
, reopened the doors to
Marian vajda
, the "most important person in his environment", despite the fact that this time he preferred to stay with his grandchildren and not travel.
“He just wants the people around who he thinks can keep him at his best on the court,” Bowers concludes.
«He always believes that he will win»
The relevance of Badio did not cease to be somewhat ironic in Australia, where Djokovic starred in another of those episodes that have obscured his legend.
It was during the third round match against
Taylor fritz
, resolved in a dramatic fifth set.
It is still not entirely clear whether that was when her back pain started.
“Beyond that factor, which tends to lead to some controversy, the truth is that Djokovic always trusted that he would come out ahead, while Fritz only believed in the third and fourth sets.
His resilience is based on the fact that he always believes he is going to win ”, develops Bowers, establishing equivalences between that match and the 2013 final in Melbourne, when
Andy Murray
After scoring the first set in the tiebreaker, he raised his foot, almost imperceptibly, in the face of Djokovic's alleged injury.
outsider
of the Scotsman, one of the great victims of this terrifying
Big three
.
"If there is anyone who can match Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, that is
Rod Laver
"Says Bowers, a fervent admirer of the only tennis player to raise all four
majors
in the same year.
One of the few challenges that still await Nole.
Unlikely, although not impossible, as the Australian already demonstrated.
«What Laver achieved in 1962 against rivals of the stature of
Ken rosewall
,
Pancho gonzalez
or
Lew hoad
places you at a height similar to
Big three
», Concludes the Serbian's biographer.
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