French Open, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roland Garros, Tennis History

Roland Garros 2015: Reflections on Djokovic Dethroning Nadal

Posted by Dan Martin on

A Match of Runs

In basketball, sometimes a team gets on a run.  Today’s collision was characterized by several runs.  Run #1 saw Novak dominate the first four games.  In Run #2, Rafa rallied to take the next 4 games and make his opponent feel the moment.  Run #3 saw, Novak win 3 of the final 4 games of the first set and failed to convert a break point/set point in the game he lost.  Things settled into a series of 6 fairly routine holds, but at 7-5, 3-3 Novak unleashed a massive run to decide the match.  Run #4 saw Novak win 9 of the final 10 games of the match.

Nole in Charge of the ATP

If Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open title and 4 Masters 1000 shields of 2015 hadn’t made it clear that Nole has grabbed the tour by the throat, today’s 7-5, 6-3, 6-1 victory over Rafael Nadal makes it clear. Djokovic overcame a 4 game wobble and a few missed break point and set point opportunities to post a fairly routine victory over a man who had a 70-1 record at Roland Garros prior to today.  Going back to last fall, Novak has won 5 consecutive Masters 1000 events, the World Tour Finals, and the Australian Open prior to his 3 set victory over El Rey de Clay.

“Fast” Eddie Felson first lost to “Minnesota Fats” in “The Hustler” prior to Reversing the Rivalry, but I am not sure how well “Fast Nole Djokovic & El Gordo de Mallorca” Would Sell

Rafa?

Novak also overcame an 0-6 record at Roland Garros versus Nadal.  This win likely gives Novak the mental edge for the rest of their careers.  Novak is slightly younger than Nadal and much healthier.  Ivan Lendl eventually took over his rivalry with the slightly older John McEnroe.  I think the same dynamic is at work here.  It is hard to see where Rafa goes from here.  He can get more healthy and that will undoubtedly help both his confidence and play, but how long can he stay healthy.  Rafa missed the 2012 & 2014 US Open events, was dismissed at the 2012 & 2013 Wimbledon Championships, and missed the 2013 Australian Open.  I can envision Nadal contending for big prizes if his preparation and health are there, but he is unlikely to return to #1 due to periodic absences from the tour.  Rafa will play better than he has in 2015 before he retires, but I think he may need to model some of his demeanor on post 2009 Roger Federer.  Not every champion is able to accept and navigate decline.

Novak’s Unfinished Business

Novak is a champion in full at the moment and is a first ballot hall of fame entrant when he retires, but he has 6 more sets to win to place his name in the very top tier of the Open Era.  Novak claiming a career Grand Slam and 9th major would place him among the top 5 players of the Open Era with several more promising years in front of him.  This match had a lot of implications for the Nadal-Djokovic rivalry, but the final two rounds in Paris may have implications for how the tour today and history books deal with Novak Djokovic.

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