Soon after Roger Federer's historic collapse, the hysteria began. The beginning of the end. His last great chance to win Wimbledon. Yep, just more hyperbolic moments in the life of the "Slam King".
This is nothing new, of course. With every win, the rhetoric revolves around Federer's rejuvenation. With every loss, panic overcomes his legion of fanatics. Has there ever been a player whose entire future is redefined over and over by a single match?
Federer has bestowed us with too many lasting images to remember. But perhaps it's now time for him to give back. Yes, the scrutinized Swiss owes Novak Djokovic a heartfelt thank-you letter.
This is nothing new, of course. With every win, the rhetoric revolves around Federer's rejuvenation. With every loss, panic overcomes his legion of fanatics. Has there ever been a player whose entire future is redefined over and over by a single match?
Federer has bestowed us with too many lasting images to remember. But perhaps it's now time for him to give back. Yes, the scrutinized Swiss owes Novak Djokovic a heartfelt thank-you letter.
Because the newly minted world No. 1 might very well play the primary role in deciding which player, Federer or Rafael Nadal, ends his career with more majors. Djokovic, as we've all witnessed in awe for months, is heads above the rest in this new paradigm of all-court command. His ability to turn defense into offense and then produce remarkable shot-making is slowing down Nadal's quest to catch Federer in the Slam department.
The next two or three years are imperative for Nadal. The rate at which he is catching Federer has been alarming. Nadal, who trails Federer by six majors (16-10), is four years younger than his rival -- a world of difference in the life of a tennis player. With Nadal's mastery of Federer through the years, it appeared only health concerns would slow down Nadal from unseating Federer as the all-time best. Now, Nadal has his own nemesis to contend with. And if this season is any kind of indication, Federer will remain perched atop the pantheon of greatness a lot longer than we thought months ago. Maybe even permanently.
Every Djokovic major is one fewer for Nadal, which, of course, means the somewhat comfortable gap at the moment will remain intact.
Nothing is a foregone conclusion, though. The success of even the best tennis players is more fleeting than that of athletes in many other sports. Federer and Nadal are a rare breed who are innately motivated to win over long periods of time but also adroit enough to adapt to new challenges, even if just subtle at times.
Djokovic, despite a smashing season, has a dubious track record. He regressed quite considerably after his first Grand Slam title three years ago in Melbourne. But he's matured, as we've all seen. And there's little indication to suggest he'll encounter the same travails again. But even if he does go on to win the U.S. Open, it's still just a single stretch of domination.
All that success will lead to even loftier expectations. And those expectations will produce pressure. Does Djokovic have the stamina to maintain this pace for the long haul? It's not hard to believe he won't right now, considering the number of titles he already owns this season and, more so, the manner in which he's won those titles. But it's a mental burden. It's also physically taxing.
However, two things are for certain: Djokovic's amazing year is lifting his legacy. It just might preserve Federer's as well.
