Novak Djokovic has built a career that is nothing short of legendary. With his relentless pursuit of excellence, unparalleled mental strength, and record-breaking achievements, he has cemented himself as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. But every champion has defining moments, matches that shaped their legacy and propelled them to greatness.
Here, we take a deep dive into five of the most important matches in Novak Djokovic’s career, analyzing how they contributed to his rise and dominance in the sport.
1. 2008 Australian Open Final – Djokovic vs. Tsonga
Score: 4–6, 6–4, 6–3, 7–6(2)
Why It Matters:
This was the match that truly launched Djokovic onto the tennis map. At just 20 years old, he defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to win his first Grand Slam title, breaking the Federer-Nadal duopoly. Until that moment, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal had dominated the sport, winning 11 consecutive Slams. Djokovic’s triumph signaled the arrival of a new contender in men’s tennis.
Key Moment:
After losing the first set, Djokovic turned the match around with his aggressive baseline play and strong returning, showing early signs of the resilience that would define his career.
2. 2011 US Open Semifinal – Djokovic vs. Federer
Score: 6–7(7), 4–6, 6–3, 6–2, 7–5
Why It Matters:
This match is famous for one shot, the audacious, down-the-line forehand winner Djokovic hit when facing match point at 5–3 in the fifth set. It was a statement of fearlessness that changed the course of his career.
Having previously struggled against Federer in Grand Slam matches, this victory proved that Djokovic was now mentally superior, capable of coming back from the brink against the best. He went on to win the title by defeating Rafael Nadal in the final, completing one of the greatest seasons in tennis history.
Key Moment:
Down match point, Djokovic went for an all-or-nothing forehand winner instead of playing it safe, one of the boldest shots in tennis history.
3. 2012 Australian Open Final – Djokovic vs. Nadal
Score: 5–7, 6–4, 6–2, 6–7(5), 7–5
Why It Matters:
This was not just a Grand Slam final, it was the longest Grand Slam final in history, lasting 5 hours and 53 minutes. The brutal physical and mental battle between Djokovic and Nadal became an instant classic.
Djokovic emerged victorious, reinforcing his dominance over Nadal at the time and proving he could outlast one of the toughest competitors in the sport. The iconic moment of Djokovic collapsing on the court after match point became a symbol of endurance and greatness.
Key Moment:
Djokovic’s lung-busting rally to break Nadal at 4–4 in the fifth set, setting the stage for an epic finish.
4. 2019 Wimbledon Final – Djokovic vs. Federer
Score: 7–6(5), 1–6, 7–6(4), 4–6, 13–12(3)
Why It Matters:
Arguably the greatest Wimbledon final of all time, this match showcased Djokovic’s mental fortress against Roger Federer, who was at his absolute best. Federer had two championship points at 8–7 in the fifth set, but Djokovic saved them and went on to win in the first-ever Wimbledon final decided by a tiebreak at 12–12.
This victory was a testament to Djokovic’s resilience. He became the first player in Wimbledon history to win a final after saving championship points and proved once again that he could withstand Federer’s brilliance in the biggest moments.
Key Moment:
Djokovic’s ice-cold composure to erase two championship points and then dominate the decisive tiebreak.
5. 2021 French Open Final – Djokovic vs. Tsitsipas
Score: 6–7(6), 2–6, 6–3, 6–2, 6–4
Why It Matters:
This was the match that made Djokovic the first man in the Open Era to win each Grand Slam title at least twice, a feat that neither Federer nor Nadal had achieved.
Down two sets to love, Djokovic showed his legendary resilience once again. Having defeated Nadal in a grueling semifinal, many thought he would be too exhausted to win the final. Instead, he completed one of the greatest comebacks in Grand Slam history against a rising Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Key Moment:
Djokovic’s ability to reset mentally after going down two sets, dominating the final three sets with superior shot selection and stamina.
Conclusion
Novak Djokovic’s career is filled with defining moments, but these five matches stand out as turning points that shaped his legacy. From winning his first Grand Slam to defeating his biggest rivals in epic battles, each of these matches helped solidify his status as one of the greatest tennis players of all time.
As Djokovic continues to break records and rewrite history, one thing is certain, his career will be remembered as one of the most extraordinary in tennis.
Tags: 2008 Australian Open Final, 2011 US Open Semifinal, 2012 Australian Open Final, 2019 Wimbledon Final, 2021 French Open, 5 Most Important, Djokovic, Federer, Matches, Nadal, Novak, Tsitsipas, Tsonga
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