I am sure I’m not the first one to say this, but it seems obvious to me that Joe MUST write a book about the intertwined greatness of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic.
It seems clear to me that everyone loves reading Joe’s writing about the Tennis Trio, whether they’re big tennis fans or not. I for one would scoop up that book in a heartbeat.
Federer, Nadal and Djokovic have won 65 of the last 80 tennis majors. That’s ridiculous. I’m probably in the minority here, but I have Federer at #3 in the “”Big 3”. I think Djokovic is #1 now, and will almost certainly separate himself further. And Roger was still in his prime when Nadal surpassed him. It’s hard to be the greatest of all time if, in your prime, another player is better than you are.
As a Nadal fan who also grew to like Federer, I don’t know if I’ve ever hate-read an article more extremely than this one. At least five different times I thought about closing the email and slamming my phone down in disgust. But damn it, Joe’s such a great tennis writer, I had to finish it, even if it’s praising a player I’ve hated more than any other sports figure for 10-15 years. Here’s hoping Carlos Alcaraz can win the next two majors, and Nadal has a great recovery in 2024.
I’m a baseball guy, but I am okay with Joe writing about tennis as often as possible. I can’t believe the career Novak was able to craft in the era of Fed and Nadal. Doesn’t seem possible.
He'll almost certainly have the record for a while, but I still don't know that we'll ever see anyone play more perfect tennis than Roger Federer. I think I'd be able to appreciate Novak so much more if I'd never seen Roger play, but you can't put that jack back in the box.
What a career though. All of the Big 3 were remarkable. I don't think that we'll ever see that in tennis again. What a run. Novak certainly deserves his flowers.
Holy crap. What IS it about tennis writing that makes it the best of all sports writing? I’m not being rhetorical; as a non fan, I find it hard to understand, even as I love it.
Anyhow, in Joe’s hands, the tennis talk is just so good. I could read this post five more times.
Thanks Joe for this great essay. I follow you because of your great writing. Mark Levy recommended me to you. I am sharing this essay because my husband loves tennis and I was a BIG fan of Federer. Big crush! ha
I am 50 years old, and quite frankly, I don't expect to live to see this record broken unless Nadal has a renaissance next year.
We have witnessed something truly extraordinary in the last 20-odd years of tennis. If you had told me when Sampras retired that we would see three men's players each eclipse his record by 6 or more, I would not have believed you. If you had then said that not only that, but those three players would largely be playing simultaneously, I would have had you committed. It just isn't possible, and yet here we are.
The Canadian Open was absolutely riveting, especially for us Canucks! I let out a scream when Taylor’s 72 footer dropped. The PGA badly needs to find a more attractive weekend to hold a national championship that used to be referred to as the fifth major.
Yes - that one is called simply "The Open Championship" - The Open for short. Theirs was the first - everyone else's has the nation it's the national championship of in the name. e.g. U.S. Open, Canadian Open, Scottish, Irish, French, etc.
Thanks Joe. There are very few essays written on a member of the Big 3 that isn't critical in some way (praises the subject of the piece to point out why he's the greatest or criticizes the subject to point out why he's not the greatest). This is just about Djokovic and why he's an all-time great with a legitimate claim as the GOAT. The story of where he came from and what he has done to reach this altitude is an important one to tell and there's no one better tell it.
Novak has probably gotten me through more workouts than any other motivational source, and I don't tend to agree with him on off-the-court stuff.
Instead, it's been the up close and personal view over the last 15 years as an admittedly flawed, exceedingly human athlete changed his destiny through generational preparation and execution which has been quite inspiring.
I'm glad one of the greatest athletes of our time was able to be summarized so well by one of the great sportswriters of our time.
I am sure I’m not the first one to say this, but it seems obvious to me that Joe MUST write a book about the intertwined greatness of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic.
It seems clear to me that everyone loves reading Joe’s writing about the Tennis Trio, whether they’re big tennis fans or not. I for one would scoop up that book in a heartbeat.
Federer, Nadal and Djokovic have won 65 of the last 80 tennis majors. That’s ridiculous. I’m probably in the minority here, but I have Federer at #3 in the “”Big 3”. I think Djokovic is #1 now, and will almost certainly separate himself further. And Roger was still in his prime when Nadal surpassed him. It’s hard to be the greatest of all time if, in your prime, another player is better than you are.
As a Nadal fan who also grew to like Federer, I don’t know if I’ve ever hate-read an article more extremely than this one. At least five different times I thought about closing the email and slamming my phone down in disgust. But damn it, Joe’s such a great tennis writer, I had to finish it, even if it’s praising a player I’ve hated more than any other sports figure for 10-15 years. Here’s hoping Carlos Alcaraz can win the next two majors, and Nadal has a great recovery in 2024.
I’m a baseball guy, but I am okay with Joe writing about tennis as often as possible. I can’t believe the career Novak was able to craft in the era of Fed and Nadal. Doesn’t seem possible.
He'll almost certainly have the record for a while, but I still don't know that we'll ever see anyone play more perfect tennis than Roger Federer. I think I'd be able to appreciate Novak so much more if I'd never seen Roger play, but you can't put that jack back in the box.
What a career though. All of the Big 3 were remarkable. I don't think that we'll ever see that in tennis again. What a run. Novak certainly deserves his flowers.
Holy crap. What IS it about tennis writing that makes it the best of all sports writing? I’m not being rhetorical; as a non fan, I find it hard to understand, even as I love it.
Anyhow, in Joe’s hands, the tennis talk is just so good. I could read this post five more times.
(Hell, let’s go for another right now.)
Beautiful post, Joe. Not a fan of Novak bur after your story, understand his qualities and greatness. I an a Sampras fan.
Thanks, Joe, as always.
Thanks Joe for this great essay. I follow you because of your great writing. Mark Levy recommended me to you. I am sharing this essay because my husband loves tennis and I was a BIG fan of Federer. Big crush! ha
Djokovic and Jokić. Pretty good week for Serbia.
yeah Novak is great, but i'm not sure i'd want to sit down and talk w/him!
re tennis, i'm actually quite sad about Serena not besting Court's record!
I am 50 years old, and quite frankly, I don't expect to live to see this record broken unless Nadal has a renaissance next year.
We have witnessed something truly extraordinary in the last 20-odd years of tennis. If you had told me when Sampras retired that we would see three men's players each eclipse his record by 6 or more, I would not have believed you. If you had then said that not only that, but those three players would largely be playing simultaneously, I would have had you committed. It just isn't possible, and yet here we are.
I hoped you finished the tennis yesterday early enough to catch the end of the Canadian Open. Wowsers, what a finish that was as well.
The Canadian Open was absolutely riveting, especially for us Canucks! I let out a scream when Taylor’s 72 footer dropped. The PGA badly needs to find a more attractive weekend to hold a national championship that used to be referred to as the fifth major.
No need to include “Canadian”. It’s just “The Open”.
Nope. That one is held in Great Britain by the Royal & Ancient. Everyone else has to distinguish theirs.
Oh, yeah, the British Open, right?
Yes - that one is called simply "The Open Championship" - The Open for short. Theirs was the first - everyone else's has the nation it's the national championship of in the name. e.g. U.S. Open, Canadian Open, Scottish, Irish, French, etc.
Thanks Joe. There are very few essays written on a member of the Big 3 that isn't critical in some way (praises the subject of the piece to point out why he's the greatest or criticizes the subject to point out why he's not the greatest). This is just about Djokovic and why he's an all-time great with a legitimate claim as the GOAT. The story of where he came from and what he has done to reach this altitude is an important one to tell and there's no one better tell it.
Played and taught lots of tennis in my day, was a 6.0 at my peak, and it's amazing how well Joe understands and explains the game, and the Joker.
Joe, you've out done yourself with the Glenn Close reference :). Loved the whole essay. Thx.
Novak has probably gotten me through more workouts than any other motivational source, and I don't tend to agree with him on off-the-court stuff.
Instead, it's been the up close and personal view over the last 15 years as an admittedly flawed, exceedingly human athlete changed his destiny through generational preparation and execution which has been quite inspiring.
I'm glad one of the greatest athletes of our time was able to be summarized so well by one of the great sportswriters of our time.