King Roger dethroned by Novak Djokovic

What a great day for tennis this has been ! Can't get any better than this. Absolutely riveting stuff from a 20 year old guy, from Serbia, called Novak Djokovic. Mens tennis has been turning out to be monotonous year after year, and people were waiting for a God made person if ever existing in this world who could defeat Roger 'The Majestic' Federer in a Grandslam tournament. And today has been the day. Novak, nick named, Nole, has derailed Fed express in straight sets 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 in the Australian open semi-final of 2008. I was turning sick of hearing the news, slam after slam, that the Magician has been taking to task all the players in the mens tennis circuit. Boy, they experienced consecutive loses like 7-0, 8-0, 10-0 to Fed ex and imagine what would be the confidence of the opponents, when they go for the battle. They would have half lost the battle in the locker room itself. And if there had been any sort of belief that they could snatch a set from the King, it would have been snuffed out, like how you flake out a cigarette stub, crushing under your feet. But today hasn't been the way and people were anticipating this defeat for quite sometime now.

Novak had his chances in the US open final of 2007 in the first couple of sets against Roger and he could not seal the deal. He was magnificent in that match. This evening has been special to the world of tennis. Novak has knocked down Federer this evening and players start really believing now that they can topple Federer any day. It's as if the whole of mens tennis wants Federer to be dethroned of his number one spot, except for his girl friend Mirka. All would breathe a huge sigh of relief that it's not the eternal champion who would be playing in the finals yet again, with a gracious smile and modest raise of the hand after victory.

We wont be hearing that mellifluous talk thanking all the balls boys to the lines men to the sponsors after the final. That has been the routine for the past 4 years now and I hope it's not anymore. Novak and Tsonga, who are the finalists in this Australian open final are not quiet personalities. They would go for their shots and it's a ripping final on the cards. They are chest thumping people and it would be absolutely dramatic to watch them. The two most deserved contestants are playing for the title on Sunday at the Rod Laver arena.

I had been watching tennis for 16 years now whenever I can, especially the Wimbledon and Goran Ivanisevic has been my all time favourite. That's no secret. The man from Croatia is my man on any day. A great character is Goran. I am not supporting Novak as I did support Goran in my heydays, but Novak is one player that I would be supporting every Grandslam. A bright talent is Novak. A great impersonator is Novak. A super character is Novak. I still have his videos to the right side bar of this blog's homepage supporting him. Eventually he has made the tennis world proud, all the Serbians proud, and his fans immensely proud.

There is a sign board in Wimbledon lawns saying, God made Roger Federer. Roger has bailed himself out of trouble at crucial junctures in many matches, with his much improved serve, taming the opponents and coming up with terrific passing shots. Today the script has been different. With what tactics and determination Roger steps onto the next Grandslam tournament would be fascinating stuff for a tennis lover. He is hurt and he keeps this loss in the back of his mind for an eternity and yet he keeps smiling, as if nothing has happened. He might stitch the critics mouth with every title he claims from now on. We all know how dangerous can be a wounded tiger.

Next step for Novak is to dethrone Roger from his make shift home like tournament, at the Wimbledon lawns. He should definitely have his sights over it. He can be supremely confident of his ability now. Novak Djokovic has got all the potential to become the number one in the mens circuit. He has changed the script today from the start. Desperate prayers by people who want to see a new Grandslam winner have been answered. A new champion has been produced. Celebrations are here to be continued. Roger has been the new King after defeating Pete Sampras at the Wimbledon lawns. Novak has to give it back to the King what the King has given to Pistol Pete. And what better venue for the vengeance than the Wimbledon lawns. Novak is the youngest player to make it to all the four grandslam semi-finals consecutively. If his Grandslam semi-final consistency is anything to go by, there would be a repeat of todays clash in London, but on a different surface. Can Novak make the wounded tiger eat it's own grass at it's own backyard like tournament? The answer is a resounding yes. Because, God also made Novak Djokovic !