It was an action-packed year in tennis as Russia finished it by winning the Davis Cup. However, this year saw Alexander Zverev winning the ATP Finals for the second time in his career after 2018. The German also became the Olympic champion in Tokyo as he defeated Novak Djokovic in the semifinals. However keeping all of this aside, 2021 will be remembered for Djokovic and his dominance in the tennis world. The Serb won three Grand Slam titles and was a match away from achieving the historic Calendar Grand Slam.
Djokovic had a dream year with three Grand Slam titles and was the favourite to win the US Open as well. However, fatigue got to him as he ran out of gas in the finals against Daniil Medvedev. Still the Serb is currently at 20 Grand Slam, equal with legends like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
These have been difficult times for both Federer and Nadal as both the players have gone through some injury problems. Federer underwent a knee surgery for the third time and will not feature at the 2022 Australian Open. Whereas Nadal who was suffering from a foot injury will return to the court for an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi. The Majorcan will look to get back to optimal fitness before taking a call on his chances of featuring in Melbourne next summer.
Recently famous journalist Christopher Clarey of the New York Times gave an interview to Money control speaking on varied topics related to tennis. “Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer came from comfortable childhoods; they had choices,” said Clarey. “Novak Djokovic came from a war-torn country. Unlike Rafa-Roger, he had no choices. He just wanted and needed, to succeed.”
Currently Djokovic is in the news over his vaccination status. There are questions of him coming to Melbourne to defend his title but the strict rules of the country do not allow everyone to enter. So things are still unclear but if the Serb does not make it to the Australian Open next year then it will be a shame for the sport and also for the fans.
Therefore the entire tennis fraternity is waiting eagerly on some news from Djokovic’s camp about featuring in the Australian Open in a month’s time.
