The Djoker Gets The Last Laugh

Last night, instead of doing job applications or writing verses I sat glued to the TV watching Novak Djokovic claim his first grand slam at the 2008 Australian Open. Despite losing the first set due to nerves on his part and great tennis on the part of his opponent, Djokovic overcame the deficit and a cramp in his left leg to win the next three sets and the title.

The first time Djokovic came to my attention was around this time last year when he announced that he would beat Roger Federer. At that time I was still on the Fed Express bandwagon, wanting to see how many trophies he could accumulate, so I didn't really like this upstart Serb. And, true to Roger's form last year, Djokovic got pounded.

But 12 months later I've seen a lot more of Djokovic and I have to say that he's won me over. He is clearly a very competent player, but he's also struck a healthy balance between humility and confidence. He knows that he has the talent to be the number one, and he's proved it this tournament by downing Federer. Yet despite all this promising talent Djokovic remains humble and courteous on court and off, much like Federer himself. And despite the wave of sentimentality that drove the crowds to Jo Wilfred Tsonga's corner last night (or perhaps because of it), I was yelling at my TV screen urging Djokovic on to victory.

To illustrate why I like players like Djokovic and Federer I only have to compare them to Djokovic's opponent last night, Tsonga. That brooding, scowling face and the absolute refusal to recognise Djokovic right until the end turned me off immediately, and not even his crowd-stirring histrionics could win me over. He may have been the 'feel-good' story of the tournament, but his abrasive character is something that I couldn't embrace. Similarly I couldn't understand why the crowd backed Tsonga over Djokovic, given that Djokovic had worked hard to ply them and Tsonga was simply riding on a wave of tall poppy syndrome.

Yet in the end last night demonstrated a great truth about life; although the crowd is a factor, skill will always carry you across the line. Djokovic overcame three opponents last night: Tsonga, the weight of expectation and a hostile crowd. To do that required tremendous mental strength and deep reserves of talent. Congratulations, Novak Djokovic – at least for now you have my support.