5 ACHIEVEMENTS NOVAK UNLOCKED IN 2016

Is there anything that delivers a better performance than the Serbian machine? Probably a Ferrari.

Novak Djokovic, a kid from the war zones of Serbia, has come a long way since winning his first major in 2008 and has achieved things that even the mightiest of the game have failed to do.

If you thought 2011 was hard to repeat, he proved you wrong last year. Can he do it a third time? Let alone this, he’s in fact looking all set to go an extra mile in 2016.

With Wimbledon, the Olympics and the US Open approaching, it’s not hard to guess what might be going on in that unbreachable Serbian mind.

But some of the things that he has already achieved this year, entail feats that most players fail to achieve in their entire professional career. And in this process, he has conquered some significant milestones.

Here we look at some of them.

Record Australian Open Title

Novak Djokovic got on his knees and kissed the court at Rod Laver Arena, after he extended his streak to 6-0 in the finals down under. After winning the 6 Australian Open (2008, 2011-13, 2015-16) of his career, he matched the record of Roy Emerson (1961, 1963-67). It was a perfect win, much anticipated after his stellar performance in 2015, when he won 27 out of the 28 Grand Slam matches he played.

Australia has been the most successful hunting ground for the Serb, where he won his first ever Slam and also recorded some of his biggest career wins.

“I have to say I’m extremely honoured to be mentioned alongside the legends of our sport, like Rod Laver. Thank you Mr Laver for coming along tonight and making this match special,” Djokovic said holding the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup.

100 Million Man

Novak Djokovic became the first person in tennis history to notch up US$100 million in prize money. He accomplished this milestone with a win in the fourth round at this year’s Roland Garros. Federer comes in a close second at 98 million, while Rafa stands third at 78 million.

Grand Slam and tour events have seen a spike in player earnings in the last few years. With the game’s increasing popularity and an avalanche of sponsors hitting the scene, Novak has peaked at the right time to surge ahead on this list. He, however, mentioned that prize money has never been a source of motivation for him.

“Of course the money helps me have a certain standard of life and lifestyle. But that’s all. It never was and is never going to be the driving force in my life and in my career.” said the Serb.

29 Masters 1000

After winning in Madrid this year, Djokovic surpassed Rafa Nadal for the second time, in the race to the top of Most ATP 1000 titles list. Nadal had leveled it by winning in Monte Carlo, taking the tally to 28, but Novak defeated Murray in Madrid to get one up again.

The Serb now has 29 titles- Miami (6), Indian Wells (5), Rome (4), Paris (4), Canada (3), Shanghai (3), Monte Carlo (2), Madrid (2) – from his 41 final appearances. Out of the 9 Masters on the ATP circuit, the only one that is missing from his cabinet is Cincinnati. If he manages to win it this year- of which he has a pretty good chance – he will become the first player ever to win all the 9 Masters 1000.

Career Grand Slam

The Serbinator joined the immortals of the game by winning the French Open and cementing his place in the record books as the eighth man to win all four majors. And just like Federer, it was his fourth appearance in the final before finally clinching the silverware.

In doing so, he had to beat someone who had been his rival since the age of 11, Andy Murray.

After his defeat to Stan Wawrinka last year, Djokovic was brought to tears after a moving applause from the French crowd. Novak was the crowd favourite and that was something that helped him bounce back after losing the first set. Djokovic battles not only his opponent; he has always dealt with the crowd not being on his side in such major showdowns.

With a career slam to his name, Novak’s fans can finally support their claim for the elusive GOAT tag.

Joining Laver and Budge

In the latter part of the first decade of this century, Novak Djokovic, like many others, was living under the shadow that Rafa and Roger had cast on the tennis world. Nobody, probably not even himself, would have dreamed that one day, he will hold all four majors at the same time, a feat that has eluded even the greatest of our times.

He joined Don Budge (1938) and Rod Laver (1962 & ’69), the other two who have achieved this magnificent feat.

“It’s incredibly flattering to know that Rod Laver is the last one that managed to do that. There are not many words that can describe it. It’s one of the ultimate challenges that you have as a tennis player. I’m very proud and very thrilled. It’s hard for me to reflect on what has happened before and what’s going to happen after. I’m just so overwhelmed with having this trophy next to me that I’m just trying to enjoy this moment”, said the Serb after his historic triumph on French clay.