WIMBLEDON:Djokovic Has Won Last Eight out of 12 Majors, Plans For
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www.dailypostathenian.com MONDAY, JULY 12, 2021 | SPORTS DAILY POST-ATHENIAN | A15 WIMBLEDON: Djokovic has won last eight out of 12 majors, plans for more FROM A13 second, Djokovic stared into the stands and pointed to his ear, then waved his racket. He got what he wanted; a chorus of his nickname broke out: “No-le! No- le!” Two points later, when he grabbed the game with a 118 mph ace, Djokovic put his racket behind an ear, heard more noise, nodded and smiled. An hour later, the match was finished — Djokovic won 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 — and so, too, was his stated desire to equal the total of major championships collected by his biggest rivals, Roger Federer (who PETE NICHOLS | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reached 20 in 2018) and Rafael Nadal (who Serbia’s Novak Djokovic plays a return to Italy’s did it last year). No other male tennis player Matteo Berrettini during the men’s singles final has more than 14. on day thirteen of the Wimbledon on Sunday Djokovic, of course, wants more. in London. “I consider myself best, and I believe that I am the best, otherwise I wouldn’t be talk- tracked down with his own-back-to-the- ing confidently about winning Slams and court flick that wound up in the net. On making history,” said Djokovic, a 34-year- another, Djokovic slid into a keep-the- old from Serbia who is ranked No. 1 and point-going defensive backhand and, has spent more weeks in that top spot than after Berrettini replied with a drop shot, any other man. “But whether I’m the great- sprinted forward for a winner. Djokovic est of all time or not, I leave that debate raised his index finger — as if to remind to other people.” KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS everyone, “I’m No. 1!” — and Berrettini It is a popular topic, certainly. And every Serbia’s Novak Djokovic kisses the winner’s trophy as he poses for photographers after he defeated flipped his racket end over end, caught member of the so-called Big Three has Italy’s Matteo Berrettini in the men’s singles final on Day 13 of the Wimbledon on Sunday in London. it and smiled. his supporters. This season might tilt the What more could he do? balance in Djokovic’s favor in the minds 25-year-old from Italy who was seeded ing back off Djokovic’s racket. Not much anyone can do against Djokov- of those yet to be convinced. No. 7. “I didn’t play badly because I didn’t ic, it seems. Already the first man since Rod Laver “Hopefully,” Berrettini said, “it’s not feel well,” Berrettini said. “He made me He has won eight of the past 12 majors in 1969 to win the first three major tour- going be my last one.” play badly.” — all since turning 30. And for all of the naments in a year, Djokovic will take aim It was a big sporting day in London for That’s what Djokovic does: He forces questions about when the younger gen- at a true calendar Grand Slam at the U.S. his country: Italy’s soccer team faced Eng- foes to work so hard to win every point, eration would step forward, Djokovic is Open, which starts Aug. 30. Only two men land at Wembley Stadium in the European let alone a game, a set, a match. singlehandedly holding off the kids. — Don Budge in the 1930s and Laver twice Championship final at night. Indeed, this one could have been over In this year’s three majors, he is 21-0, in the 1960s — have gone 4-for-4. With Marija Cicak officiating, the first much sooner: Djokovic led 4-1 in the first with victories in finals over Daniil Med- “I’m going to definitely give it a shot,” female chair umpire for a men’s final at a set, 4-0 in the second and 3-1 in the third. vedev, 25, in Australia, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Djokovic told the Centre Court crowd tournament that began in 1877, play began But in the first, he faltered, wasting a 22, in France, and now Berrettini, 25. during the trophy presentation. “I’m in as the sun made a rare appearance during set point at 5-2, getting broken when he On Sunday, Djokovic made merely 21 a great form and obviously playing well. the fortnight, the sky visible in between served for it at 5-3, then dropping four of unforced errors, while accumulating 31 ... So let’s keep it going.” the clouds. the tiebreaker’s last five points. winners. He earned a third consecutive champi- The opening game featured signs of edgi- When Berrettini closed it out with a Djokovic’s returns are as good as any- onship at the All England Club and sixth ness from both, but especially Djokovic, 138 mph ace, he shouted — but said later one’s, ever. His two-handed backhand is overall. Those go alongside nine at the whose pair of double-faults contributed to he couldn’t hear his own roar because of a constant threat. His ability to anticipate Australian Open, three at the U.S. Open the half-dozen combined unforced errors. the how loud many of the 15,000 specta- and reach shots is remarkable. And he and two at the French Open. He faced a break point but staved it off. tors were. does whatever it takes: Djokovic won 34 “I have to pay a great tribute to Rafa and “Definitely,” Djokovic acknowledged, But Djokovic is nothing if not a fight- of 48 points when he went to the net, 7 Roger. They are legends. Legends of our “felt slightly more nervous than I usu- er. He blunted Berrettini’s best efforts of 9 when he serve-and-volleyed. sport. They are the two most important ally feel.” and won the fans over, too. When it was What sets him apart above all is a qual- players that I ever faced in my career,” The 6-foot-5, barrel-chested Berrettini’s over, Djokovic dropped to his back on the ity stats can’t trace: “The ability to cope Djokovic said. “They are, I think, the rea- powerful serves sent line judges contort- turf, arms and legs splayed, showered by with pressure,” he called it. son that I am where I am today. They’ve ing to get their head out of harm’s way. cheers. Moments later, he rose, threw his When the tension and heart rate ratchet helped me realize what I need to do in Djokovic occasionally took cover himself, head back, spread his arms and basked up, Djokovic is either impervious to that order to improve, to get stronger men- crouching and raising his racket as if it in the joint appreciation of his accom- sort of thing — or plays as if he is. tally, physically, tactically.” were a shield to block back serves aimed plishment. It’s the experience. The grit and guts. Federer tweeted his congratulations, at his body. As Berrettini put it: “He’s writing the The talent and hard work. writing, “Wonderful performance, well Not many opponents manage to return history of this sport, so he deserves all This has been a year of dominance by done!” serves at 137 mph and end up winning the credit.” Djokovic, on top of a decade of success. This was Djokovic’s 30th major final the point, but Djokovic did that at least It was an entertaining final, with some “The last 10 years has been an incred- — among men, only Federer has played twice. And the big forehands Berrettini magical points. On one, Berrettini con- ible journey,” he said, “that is not stop- more, 31 — and the first for Berrettini, a drives past most other players kept com- jured up a ‘tweener lob that Djokovic ping here.” Monday Puzzles CROSSWORD SUDOKU BRIDGE North 07-12-21 � 8 4 3 � 4 � 6 2 � A K Q J 6 4 3 West East � 5 2 � J 10 9 7 6 � K Q J 10 9 2 � 8 6 � Q J 3 � 8 4 � 10 5 � 9 8 7 2 South � A K Q � A 7 5 3 � A K 10 9 7 5 � — Dealer: South Vulnerable: Both South West North East 2� 3� 4� 4� Dbl. Pass 7� All Pass Opening lead: � K Which opponent do you believe? By Phillip Alder Lisa Alther, in “Kinflicks,” wrote, “I happen to feel that the degree of a person’s intelligence is directly reflected by the number of conflicting attitudes she can bring to bear on the How to get started: same topic.” The declarer had conflicting Use your logic to ind the evidence in this deal from a Bridge Base Online duplicate. It was played correct number for each at 16 tables. At most of them, West square. When inished, all overcalled two hearts, having only a nine rows across, all nine six-card suit and being vulnerable. North responded three clubs, South columns down and all rebid three diamonds and North nine 3-by-3 boxes must jumped to seven clubs. Real bridge robots do not need Blackwood! contain all nine numbers, At each of those tables, South took 1 through 9, with no the first trick with the heart ace, repeats. (We gave you ruffed a heart on the board (whew!), drew trumps and claimed. a head start with some At one table, though, West jumped numbers already appear- to three hearts.