Novak Djokovic's three worst defeats on clay

Novak Djokovic, the reigning world no. 1 is considered one of the most complete tennis players in the history of tennis, able to play well on all surfaces, where he proved successful. On clay-courts he won a total of 14 titles, losing 11 finals. The climax came in 2016, when he won the Roland Garros against Andy Murray, completing the much-dreamed-of career Grand Slam.

Yet in his super career, he has suffered three sensational defeats on clay

In the quarter-finals of Roland Garros 2017, Djokovic faced Dominic Thiem. That was the worst year of the Serb, and that defeat reflected his season. Thiem defeated his rival in straight sets with the final score of 7-6, 6-3, 6-0. Surely that was one of Nole's worst defeats on clay; he was humiliated by his rival, appearing helpless before an opponent for the first time in his career.

Going back in time, the epic semi-final of the French Open 2013 was a very tough moment for the Serb. He played a great match, but his ambitions were thwarted by Rafael Nadal, who won with the final score of 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7, 9-7, after five sets of battle. It happened all that day: Djokovic's touching of the net on a point that seemed done. Not only that, Djokovic could also win but the semi-final seemed haunted for him. Rafa got the final, then defeating his countryman David Ferrer and winning his 8th Parisian title. That was a difficult defeat to stomach for the Serb.

Yet his worst defeat on clay was in the final of the Roland Garros 2015. In a season during which he dominated the Tour and all his rivals, the Parisian final seemed to be the moment of his definitive coronation and of the much-dreamed-of career Grand Slam. During previous rounds, he had also defeated Nadal and Murray.

In the final, Djokovic faced Stan Wawrinka. Nole won the first set and the road seems ready. Yet the impossible happened: Wawrinka played fantastic tennis, literally disintegrating the hopes of Djokovic, winner after winner, unexpectedly and unpredictably winning his second Major with the final score of 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6- 4. Unthinkable.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2Jktohv