Can anyone stop Novak Djokovic in London? Every one of his seven rivals has picked him as the man to beat at the ATP Finals.
He is the odds-on favourite while the next-best fancied, Roger Federer at 11-2, has already played one and lost one.
Djokovic’s status is understandable with the run he has undergone, although unthinkable in June when he was 22nd in the world and threatening to forego Wimbledon following his French Open quarter-final defeat. Since the start of that grasscourt campaign, Djokovic has lost just two matches on Tour and won the US Open as well as titles in Cincinnati and Shanghai. Andy Murray’s former coach Brad Gilbert warned in an interview with the ATP: “I think he’s about to dominate. The freight train has started and it’s full steam ahead.
“I think Novak is looking at a monster 2019. I could see him winning Australia and all of a sudden he’s in play for his second Djoker Slam [winning four straight Grand Slams].”
After winning his last title in Shanghai last month, Djokovic talked about the “new Novak” but, if anything, it is the echoes of the Djokovic of old, the versions of 2011 and 2014 when he previously upstaged Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal to dominate men’s tennis. Djokovic’s quest to match Federer with a sixth ATP Finals success begins on Monday against John Isner, who snuck into the event following Nadal’s withdrawal injured.
But the likeliest obstacle to the Djokovic hegemony is the player himself, the new world No1 well aware that the fatigue of a punishing season could yet take its toll this week. “I had to reinvent myself and find the proper formula for success,” he said. “I found it and I’m just trying to hold onto it as long as I can.”
Djokovic added: “It is extra special this year because of the whole journey I’ve been through.”
