Novak Djokovic Wins Italian Open, Can He Become The New Number One?

The media have hyped Rafael Nadal for the past three years the truth is Rafael Nadal is only strong on the clay surface. Most of Nadal’s ATP Tour points are because he’s been so dominant on clay. The problem for Nadal now is Novak Djokovic has emerged and he’s solid on more then just one surface. Nadal has not reached the number one ranking because he’s not good on the faster surfaces. Yes Nadal reached the semifinals of the Australian Open this year but being a semifinalist isn’t good enough.

Roger Federer is in a slump he’s only won one minor event this year the Estoril Open in Portugal. The media have ignored the fact Rafael Nadal hasn’t been winning a lot this year either. Nadal managed to defend his clay court titles in Monte Carlo and Barcelona but he failed to deliver on the faster surfaces. Nadal has had some horrible results this year losing to Jo Wilfred Tsonga in the Australian Open semifinals when he was the clear favorite. Also at the Miami Masters Nadal was destroyed by Nikolay Davydenko in the final when he should of won. At the elite level of men’s tennis it is all about “winning” the major grand slams. Nadal also has failed to advance beyond the quarterfinals of the US OPEN.

Perhaps it was inevitable that Roger and Rafael could not maintain the awesome consistency they have achieved for the past three years? Tennis fans have been so accustomed to Roger and Rafael competing in the big finals but not this year. Finally, in the year 2008 it appears the world number one ranking is up for grabs. Since Djokovic just won the Italian Open he is only 310 points behind Rafael Nadal in the ATP tour rankings. If Novak wins the Hamburg Masters he will reach the number two ranking position.

The French Open is going to be very interesting this year. I still believe Rafael Nadal is the clear favorite to win the French Open because he is the three time defending men’s champion. However, Rafael also lost to fellow Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferraro in Rome in straight sets. Are there some cracks in Nadal’s self confidence on his favorite surface?

There seems to be a pattern this year when Nadal and Federer lose Djokovic is coming through and winning the big titles. Novak Djokovic just won the Italian Open today his first Masters Series title on clay and he also won the Indian Wells Masters and the Australian Open this year.

It is obvious Novak is on the rise. It appears to me that perhaps Rafael Nadal might reach the number one ranking but I don’t believe he will stay there very long. Novak Djokovic can play well on multiple surfaces he is competent on clay, grass, indoor and hardcourts. Since Novak has the consistency I think he is the man that will challenge Roger Federer and not Nadal in the future on the faster surfaces.

Nadal is a quandary how can such a big,strong, muscular, young man have such a weak serve? Nadal’s serve has to be one of the worst serves on the ATP Tour. The top women on the WTA tour have bigger and more powerful serves then Rafael Nadal. Nadal is wasting his talent the guy is so muscular and strong he needs a bigger serve. If Nadal was able to win some cheap free points he would take the pressure off of his body.

Rafael Nadal’s body appears to be breaking down at the tender age of twenty one he’s constantly injured because he utilizes too much energy on the court. Nadal isn’t compensating he’s wasting time by not being aggressive enough. Nadal’s defensive game works on clay but this style of play has hurt him on the faster surfaces. On the clay surface Nadal can get away with spinning in serves at 100 miles per hour but on the faster surfaces he is blasted off the court. Novak uses his size, his speed, and power to intimidate his opponents he hits the ball on the rise very flat and robs his opponents of time.

Yes, I know that Rafael has reached two Wimbledon finals but he’s also lost in the finals to Roger Federer. Nobody cares about the “finalist” all the public cares about are “champions” and “winners”. Novak Djokovic will become number one because he has some weapons Nadal lacks. Djokovic is slightly taller then Nadal he also has a superior serve, a better return of serve, and he volleys very well.

There is also another aspect to Novak I believe will propel him to the number one ranking he has a certain amount of arrogance. Novak has been involved in some trash talking with Roger Federer this year and he’s not afraid to speak about the fact he wants to become number one. Rafael Nadal always says “Roger is the greatest” and he is always complementary to Roger.

Maybe Rafael’s thought process is all wrong? Of course tennis players should be professional but you also have to believe in yourself and your talents as well. Some tennis fans don’t like Novak’s “arrogance” but maybe that’s part of the reason Novak is so successful because he honestly “believes” he can become number one.

I admit I think Djokovic’s parents are pretty classless at tennis matches acting so passionate and screaming at the top of their lungs. Novak’s mother also has made some disparaging comments about Roger that I found rather immature and petulant.

Perhaps, this is one of the reasons Rafael Nadal hasn’t reached the number one ranking yet he doesn’t have arrogance? Rafael Nadal is a very nice guy but maybe he’s a bit too friendly with Roger Federer. I think the world number one and number two players need to have a rivalry. I think Novak Djokovic is going to take over men’s tennis very shortly it seems. Yes, Rafael can beat Roger on clay but Roger beats Rafael on all the other surfaces. Novak Djokovic can become number one because he can beat Roger on hardcourts.