AS A new tennis season beckons with the Australian Open next month, there is anticipation in air. Stanislas Wawrinka and Marin Cilic, winning two out of four Grand Slams this year, have given reason to believe that an energetic and motivated lot is prepared to push the ‘ Big Four’. World No. 1 Novak Djokovic reckons an ‘ unpredictable and interesting’ year of tennis is on the cards in 2015.
“ I think it is really unpredictable.
It is hard to say who are the favourites to win Grand Slam titles, especially after the last two seasons of having four different winners. Let’s wait and see. Obviously Cilic and Wawrinka are some new names who have won Grand Slam titles, challenging the best, winning big titles. They have proven to everybody that it is possible,” a relaxed Djokovic said after a fine exhibition of tennis with Roger Federer in the
IPTL on Monday.
“ The dominance of Roger and Rafa, first of all, over the years was fantastic and incredible and then Andy Murray and myself got into the mix. Then we four have been winning the big events in last six- seven years.
Now it is normal to expect there is a new generation of players.
Even there are younger players like Nishikori, Raonic who are able and have the quality to do so (win Grand Slams). It is definitely going to be an interesting year,” said the Serbian who has won four Australian Open titles.
Not long ago, Federer and Nadal looked miles ahead than the rest as they competed with each other in winning the Grand Slams. But Djokovic spectacularly staked his claim and rose to great heights, winning seven Grand Slams and becoming the World No. 1. Andy Murray joined him in finding his own space among them and it led to the ‘ Big Four’ who developed such intense rivalries that was unmatched and unprecedented in the history of the sport.
Djokovic, forever humble, says ‘ Roger and Rafa’ immensely contributed to his success at the top.
“ They are both very different rivals, but both rivalries contributed to my career in a way.
They made me understand what I need to do, and how much I need to work in order to challenge them and to win against them, win trophies and eventually get to No. 1. These rivalries have been a big part of my improvement, my success over the years. I respect them as players and people.” And all four share a good off- court relationship.
“ The relationship we have is only a positive message about the sport for all the young tennis fans, who are looking up to us.
Even though we are big rivals on the court, we talk, we smile to each other, we exchange nice fun words. Of course, when you are on the court you want to win, that’s your will. But at the end of the day it is sport and we are all humans and we respect each other and have good relationships.” The only Grand Slam missing from his cabinet is the French Open, but Djokovic is confident of completing his tally. “ I have come pretty close a few times.
But I have a small problem there, his name is Nadal and he is not going away (laughs). What he did in that tournament in his career is something that very few players in the history of the game can achieve. I respect him a lot. But I am going to push hard for it. The way I played against Rafa in clay courts and some other events have given me reason to believe that I can do even better (against him).
Hopefully I can do that (win the French Open title) before the end of my career.” He is glad to have legendary Boris Becker on his side as coach.
“ I see this partnership going only in positive direction. He contributes a lot mostly from the psychological point of view to my tennis. In last six months of 2014 season, things went the way we wanted. We finished No. 1 and won Wimbledon and other titles.” Djokovic does not believe that attaining fatherhood recently will restrict his tennis ambition in any ways. Murray is also set to tie the knot and Djokovic feels they will all be now ‘ One big family on the Tour.” avishek. roy@ mailtoday. in The Serbian star says many players are capable of winning Grand Slam tournaments in the forthcoming season
