From sick-note Serb to Grand Slam warrior

LONDON: Novak Djokovic was once known as the "sick-note Serb" whose undoubted promise was at the mercy of a variety of frustrating aches, pains and assorted strains. Now, the 26-year-old world number one is the sport’s greatest warrior whose steely Serbian eyes are firmly trained on a second Wimbledon title and seventh career Grand Slam trophy in his 11th final at a major.

His ability to thrive amongst the champions was never in disbelief, but the size of his heart certainly was. At Wimbledon in 2007, he retired with a back injury in the third set of his semi-final against Rafael Nadal.

He also quit at the 2006 and 2007 French Opens at the third round and quarter-final stages respectively, while at the 2009 Australian Open, where he was defending champion, he pulled out of his quarter-final with Andy Roddick citing heat exhaustion. But at the 2012 Australian Open, nobody was questioning his stamina anymore when he beat Rafael Nadal in the longest Grand Slam final of all time, a draining 5hr 53min marathon.

Another epic on Friday gave him a place in his second Wimbledon final, two years after he captured his only title at the All England Club. His four hour 43 minute 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (7-2), 6-7 (6-8), 6-3 win over Juan Martin del Potro was the longest Wimbledon semi-final in history.

Djokovic won his first major in Melbourne in 2008, but it was three years before he added his second. He dropped gluten from his diet, his lithe physique allowing him to chase down lost causes, making him appear the rubber man of tennis. Despite his success on the courts, and over US$50mil in career earnings, Djokovic is wildly popular amongst his fans for his strength of purpose on court and his offbeat sense of humour off it.

His Twitter account, which carries the tag-line, Laugh as long as you breathe, love as long as you live!, boasts over two million followers. “I have tried all my life to be who I am. That’s one of my mottos really, not pretending to be somebody else. I think that kind of character and strong position got me to where I am,” said Djokovic. – AFP

News taken from : http://www.thestar.com.my/Sport/Tennis/2013/07/07/From-sick-note-Serb-to-Grand-Slam-warrior.aspx

By DT