Novak Djokovic

As defending champions go, Novak Djokovic is flying well below the radar. Throughout the build up to the Australian Open and throughout the tournament’s first three days, only the names of Murray, Federer and Nadal have been mentioned as potential candidates to lift the trophy a week on Sunday.

It is almost as though the young Serb, so exciting on his march to a first major title a year ago and just a two months ago crowned the champion of the season ending Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai, has been disregarded as a contender. Although it would be inaccurate to describe Djokovic as a man without ego, he is perfectly content the spotlight is being shone in other directions.

Some may say it is errant to discount the chances of a player so proven on the surface. Others would point out that much of 2008 was a difficult and frankly not enjoyable experience for a player for whom fame perhaps came a little too early. Nobody would dare deny his talent but he struggled to live up to being a member of that elite club of major champions.

There have been downright mistakes, like his criticism of the New York crowd as he took on America’s favourite Andy Roddick at last September’s US Open. There have been professional distractions, such as the decision to play a major part in securing ownership of the ATP tournament that will be played in Belgrade. There was the decision, which many said he might live to rue, of changing the brand of his racket just a couple of weeks before the start of a New Year.

Only Djokovic’s management will know how much more Head are paying him to use their brand than Wilson, but however much the remuneration, such a move so soon before the defence of his most valuable title was a gamble. Watching him lose his first match of the year in Brisbane, after he made another error in judgment by delaying his departure in order to celebrated the New Year in Monte Carlo, seemed to underline his unprofessionalism.

But two matches into another Australian Open campaign, Djokovic seems to be flourishing on his return to Melbourne’s Plexicushion courts. He has yet to drop a set and in his own opinion the second round performance against the highly-rated Frenchman Jeremy Chardy possessed far more quality than his initial win against the far lower ranked Italian Andrea Stoppini.

For a while Chardy, who last year enjoyed his best year on the tour by reaching two ATP quarterfinals and a Slam-best fourth round at Roland Garros, was constantly snapping at Djokovic’s heels. Both men seemed to possess similar power on their ground strokes but it is the mark of the better player that he comes to the fore on the big points and such was the case.

As Chardy faltered with a return of second serve that could have put in a very threatening position, Djokovic then took control. He capitalised on every one of his six opportunities to break the Frenchman’s serve, he made almost half the unforced errors committed by his opponent and he was increasingly dominant at the baseline.

Such statistics don’t come without self-belief but changing a racket can be a nerve wracking business. A similar switch played total havoc with the self-confidence of former world No 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero five years ago and the Spaniard who won the 2003 French Open title has not managed to recapture his top 20 status since. Things initially looked as they might be similarly problematic for Djokovic but a glance at his service fugures suggest any fears were ill-founded. He hit just one double fault against Chardy and got 71 per cent of his first serves into play.

Not bad for somebody allegedly struggling with their racket.

Criticism has regularly been levelled at Djokovic that he hasn’t worked hard enough on improving his game since establishing himself as the world’s third ranked player last summer. Is the ability to volley is still a distinct deficit in his game despite his ability to move as well as anyone on a court? Well he was successf ul with 15 out 20 sorties to the net and that’s not something to complain about.

It is stating the brutally obvious that things are going to get harder the further the tournament progresses. The elimination of David Nalbandian meant there is one less major threat in Djokovic’s section of the draw but there are still several players who could plunder an hour so of indecision.

When you are the champion, you still remain a major scalp. Nadal, Federer and Murray may remain the men to beat but Novak Djokovic should not be discounted just yet.

source: http://www.timesonline.co.uk