Novak Djokovic: From Joker to Ace
For long regarded as a consummate entertainer who delighted the audience with his impersonation of tennis stars — past and present, Novak Djokovic has proved by winning the U.S. Open that his stature as a player is just as redoubtable.
In an astonishing year thus far where Djokovic has a win-loss record of 64-2, the current World number one has sealed his place as a legend of the game alongside contemporaries such as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. The Serb's dominance over Nadal with six straight victories in 2011 has ensured that the Federer-Nadal duopoly was over.
Djokovic's resilience also came to the fore in his semi final clash against Federer. Two sets down and facing a match-point, Djokovic blasted an audacious forehand crosscourt past the Swiss ace. Tennis legend John Mc Enroe called it “one of the great all-time shots in tennis history”. That stroke provided the spark for ‘Djoker' to come back into the game and eventually down Federer.
Djokovic was first spotted as a six-year-old by Yugoslav tennis legend Jelena Gencic in a camp at Mount Kopaonik in Southern Serbia. “This is the greatest talent I have seen since Monica Seles,” she exclaimed.
The people of war-torn Serbia have had very little to celebrate over the years. With a bagful of success stories, the 24-year-old Djokovic has provided inspiration and the much-needed a healing touch to a whole new generation of Serbs.
Factfile
Djokovic is affectionately called ‘Nole' and ‘Djoker'.
He is the UNICEF National Ambassador for Serbia.
With earnings of over $10.6 million in 2011, Djokovic created a new ATP World Tour record.
Djokovic lives in Monte Carlo and speaks Serbian, English, Italian, and German fluently.
He became the sixth player in the open era to win three Majors in a calendar year.
Samantha Stosur: The quiet achiever
Samantha Stosur has endeared herself to fans and players alike with her quiet dignity. Despite Serena Williams' outburst against the chair umpire hogging the limelight in the U.S. Open final, Stosur played with poise to clinch her maiden singles Grand Slam title.
The 27-year-old also became the first Australian winner at Flushing Meadows since Margaret Court in 1973. In her early years, Stosur had a more successful doubles career partnering Lisa Raymond.
After a rewarding 2009 season, Stosur decided to further her singles career. The move paid dividends as she reached her first singles Grand Slam final at the French Open. That set the tone for a number of wins on the WTA tour.
Stosur faced difficult times as a child having seen floods destroy her house and family's business. Having moved to Adelaide from her native Brisbane, Stosur took to tennis as an eight-year-old. She started playing on local courts with older brother Daniel, who later convinced their parents to let Stosur pursue tennis seriously. Her first overseas challenge came, when she was 13, in the form of the World Youth Cup in Jakarta. In 2001, she joined the Australian Institute of Sport programme.
Stosur's comeback in 2008, after battling Lycme's disease for close to a year, gave a glimpse of her mental fortitude. Her meticulous work ethic has also ensured that she is one of the fittest players in the circuit.
In the past, Stosur was often accused of crumbling under pressure in high-profile games. Her recent victory, however, has managed to silence critics. Currently ranked seven in the world, Stosur has her sights firmly set on the top spot in women's tennis.
Factfile:
Stosur is of Polish descent through her grandfather.
She turned pro in 1999.
Stosur ended a 31-year Grand Slam singles title drought for Australian women. Evonne Goolagong Cawley, who won the Wimbledon in 1980, was the last Aussie woman to bag a Slam.
