There’s something very powerful and whole about the number 10. Every child recites it by kindergarten. It’s roman numeral is X and X marks the spot on a map. “1” is like a solitary man wielding the source of his power, the “0” or tennis racquet ready to meet fate head on. It’s also a number that would look downright satisfying on Novak Djokovic’s resume for total count of (GS) Grand Slams. He’s sitting at 9, after already claiming 2 of 3 GSs in 2015. Now destiny awaits the sensational Serb, as he pursues that ever elusive US Open crown in the perpetually boisterous courts of Flushing Meadows, New York.
The Richter scale is measured by a ten-fold increase in energy. If Novak conquers New York and amasses a 10th Slam, it may just feel earth-shattering. How sweet it would be for Djokovic and his supporters to see him a roaring champion on Arthur Ashe court amidst a crowd of over 23, 000 spectators for the second time in his career. Novak holds both the impressive mark of being the most consistent player at the US Open with 9 straight years of semi-final appearances or better, and the unfortunate mark of losing 4 Finals. 2011 was a watershed year for Nole and the last time he claimed a trifecta Slam year. He is poised to repeat history, if a little luck and boat loads of skill converge at the right moments.
Novak already sits in the esteemed throne of 9 GS titles, a place all his own, after surpassing the likes of former legends such as Ivan Lendl, Andre Agassi, and Jimmy Connors, all of whom have 8 GSs. One more GS, would basically put him in another branch-climbing honour and unique place of 10 Slams. Technically he would share the honours with American Bill Tilden, a man who, interestingly won 7 of his Slams at the US Open, but it comes with an asterisks of having played in a by-gone era (1920s) when men played in iron-pressed pants, and the competition was not as fierce nor international in flavour. Novak would be the first of the Open-era (post 1967) to have won 10 Slams. If he can fulfill all the pundits’ predictions and his potential, 10 would be incredibly whole and so satisfying!
For Novak it could be a huge psychological boost to achieve the double digit Slam club of his two biggest rivals, Nadal and Federer! Though he has nothing to prove, 10 could serve as a mental springboard for future Slam success and to culminate 2015 with big US Open win and finish the year on a colossal note may intimidate his opponents for the following calendar year. Somehow, 14 and 17 doesn’t sound so far away or far-fetched. Indeed a 10th Slam and a 2nd US Open would be a elite milestone on many levels. If he wins the US Open, he would also be a multi-Slam winner at the event like the two giants he’s chasing. He would surpass Nadal’s success at New York, by being in 4 Finals versus Nadal’s 1. He would continue his amazing streak of 21 of 22 consecutive semifinals in GSs too. Perhaps most importantly, he would get the monkey off his back that is the somewhat accursed Finals record of one out of five. Two US Open titles would slay a few of Novak’s subconscious demons and silence many of his critics who harangue him for not doing better at Flushing Meadows.
Heck, the only thing better than 10 Grand Slams, would be 11, unless you’re infatuated with number 10! I for one, would sleep quite peacefully if Novak can conquer New York and hoist the 10th trophy of his illustrious career, and win nothing else, because, did I mention, I really like the #10! Were he to retire with 10 Slams, that would be just fine by me because who doesn’t like double digits! Then again, 11 has a nice ring to it! Bjorn Borg, Rod Laver, you’ve been warned—look in your rear view mirrors!
10 symbolizes the completion of a circle. If Novak fulfills a path that many predict he will follow and reach his destination of number 10, it will feel like a circular journey of success and conquest. He will have entered into elite company again with the two colleagues he is catching up to. Two 3-Slam years will put him in that exclusive club of his contemporaries, Nadal and Federer. Not that we’re comparing or anything.
The Richter scale is measured by a ten-fold increase in energy. If Novak conquers New York and amasses a 10th Slam, it may just feel earth-shattering. How sweet it would be for Djokovic and his supporters to see him a roaring champion on Arthur Ashe court amidst a crowd of over 23, 000 spectators for the second time in his career. Novak holds both the impressive mark of being the most consistent player at the US Open with 9 straight years of semi-final appearances or better, and the unfortunate mark of losing 4 Finals. 2011 was a watershed year for Nole and the last time he claimed a trifecta Slam year. He is poised to repeat history, if a little luck and boat loads of skill converge at the right moments.
Novak already sits in the esteemed throne of 9 GS titles, a place all his own, after surpassing the likes of former legends such as Ivan Lendl, Andre Agassi, and Jimmy Connors, all of whom have 8 GSs. One more GS, would basically put him in another branch-climbing honour and unique place of 10 Slams. Technically he would share the honours with American Bill Tilden, a man who, interestingly won 7 of his Slams at the US Open, but it comes with an asterisks of having played in a by-gone era (1920s) when men played in iron-pressed pants, and the competition was not as fierce nor international in flavour. Novak would be the first of the Open-era (post 1967) to have won 10 Slams. If he can fulfill all the pundits’ predictions and his potential, 10 would be incredibly whole and so satisfying!
For Novak it could be a huge psychological boost to achieve the double digit Slam club of his two biggest rivals, Nadal and Federer! Though he has nothing to prove, 10 could serve as a mental springboard for future Slam success and to culminate 2015 with big US Open win and finish the year on a colossal note may intimidate his opponents for the following calendar year. Somehow, 14 and 17 doesn’t sound so far away or far-fetched. Indeed a 10th Slam and a 2nd US Open would be a elite milestone on many levels. If he wins the US Open, he would also be a multi-Slam winner at the event like the two giants he’s chasing. He would surpass Nadal’s success at New York, by being in 4 Finals versus Nadal’s 1. He would continue his amazing streak of 21 of 22 consecutive semifinals in GSs too. Perhaps most importantly, he would get the monkey off his back that is the somewhat accursed Finals record of one out of five. Two US Open titles would slay a few of Novak’s subconscious demons and silence many of his critics who harangue him for not doing better at Flushing Meadows.
Heck, the only thing better than 10 Grand Slams, would be 11, unless you’re infatuated with number 10! I for one, would sleep quite peacefully if Novak can conquer New York and hoist the 10th trophy of his illustrious career, and win nothing else, because, did I mention, I really like the #10! Were he to retire with 10 Slams, that would be just fine by me because who doesn’t like double digits! Then again, 11 has a nice ring to it! Bjorn Borg, Rod Laver, you’ve been warned—look in your rear view mirrors!
10 symbolizes the completion of a circle. If Novak fulfills a path that many predict he will follow and reach his destination of number 10, it will feel like a circular journey of success and conquest. He will have entered into elite company again with the two colleagues he is catching up to. Two 3-Slam years will put him in that exclusive club of his contemporaries, Nadal and Federer. Not that we’re comparing or anything.