The Impossible Year

Every year, the slate wipes clean and the tennis community - spectators, analysts and players alike - wait to be impressed. 2011 was clearly paved by the current world #1, Novak Djokovic. In addition to holding the greatest YTD record of 64-2 and becoming only the 6th player in the open era to win 3 Grand Slam titles in a calendar year, Djokovic has claimed the title of the youngest man in the open era to have reached the semifinals of all four Major events, both separately and consecutively. That said, are we impressed?

Each of us seems to have a different definition of what is impressive. Some are impressed by folks who can accomplish something they never will. Some will not deem a person impressive until total events are actualized. And others find nothing impressive about anyone who simply is not the best.

While Nole won the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, do we so easily forget that Roger Federer accomplished this same feet in 2004? And 2006? And 2007? On top of that, he was by far the second best clay-courter, losing only to the best in the finals four times. That said, can we leave Rafael Nadal away from the discussion of impressive? The man began competing in in the French Open in 2005 and did not lose a match there for four straight years. And he hasn't lost at the French since his one outing in 2009.

Both of these men have won all four Grand Slams and have been the indisputable pioneers of the game over the last decade. This year, Djokovic beat them both. He achieved the impossible year. Will the record ever be repeated? No. Can Nole make a similar run in 2012? Unlikely. Regardless, we all probably agree to see Roger and Rafa deep in tournaments next year. Each of us can decide who, if any, is impressive...