Djoker goes wild in Cincy

 

Novak Djokovic, beating Roger Federer in Cincinnati, became the first player ever to win all nine Masters 1000 titles as well as all four slams.

He worked on his serve on center court a few hours before the match, and he forced Federer to shank returns into the net all match.

His preparation, including data analysis, put him in the right positions repeatedly to field Federer’s overheads or lure Roger into over-cooking attacks on short balls.

Novak was more solid than Roger, but he also played with more passion and fire. Beating Marin Cilic in the semi-final, Novak fed upon his anger at music playing outside the stadium. (“Turn down that fucking noise,” he hollered early in the third set.)

 

 

He also roared back from behind to Milos Raonic, proving that he simply wanted this title more than anybody else playing in the sweltering heat and humidity of the Western and Southern Open, which was often delayed by rain.

 

 

 

In the end, Novak moved better than Federer, who was perhaps exhausted from playing late night matches most of the week.

After winning Wimbledon and now Cincy, he’s now the favorite to win the US Open in New York. Djokovic has banished any doubts about his health and hunger. He can now set his sights on other records, and he still has years to fill his Belgrade club with trophies.

(words and images copyright Christopher Johnson Globalite Media all rights reserved)

 

 

 

 

(images copyright Christopher Johnson Globalite Media all rights reserved)