2013 season IS the season which could determine if Djokovic will come close, match or pass No. 17. Why? Try this:
1. Djokovic is at his ABSOLUTE prime - BOTH physically and form -ally. Even though he hasn't yet reclaimed the golden touch of 2011, he, at least, hasn't regressed past a point where he could get vulnerable again like the pre-2011 days.
Translation: The likelihood of him getting better are VERY reasonably high.
2. The two former rulers of the land have stepped back clearing that messy slate Djokovic was stuck in for quite a while. Not having to deal with it is one HELL of a relief.
3. Clown coming up could be more a product of default than any SIGNIFICANT strides made with respect to the tool shed stock. Unless Murray makes MAJOR alterations, there's a very real possibility of him turning into a Roddick in more ways than one. First is the obvious one-Slam wonder tag and second being born at the wrong time. If Djokovic just maintains his current form, he is NOT losing to Murray in five sets ANYWHERE.
And if all of above BS is true, Djokovic HAS to look at the 2013 season as the watershed moment and GO for the calendar Slam. Just the calendar Slam itself will move him closer to the GOAT table, but reaching 9 Slams by year-end will allow him to view No. 17. MORE importantly, that station will allow No. 17 to view him. There's a difference.
Djokovic has just two to three more years, before newer and younger far more credible threat begins to emerge restricting his Slam wins to just one or two per season, if at all. But until then, he is home free - as things stand today.
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Murray was lucky that he got a five setter against Federer in the semis. Why? Because without it Djokovic would have eaten him alive. Why? Because the temperature shock from the tomato can aroma he was in to what he would have faced against Djokovic was too much to handle.
But for you to not capitalize on it, just because you didn't condition your body hard enough for a long haul, is inexcusable. Murray knew what was coming physically long before it showed and that was LARGELY the reason for his stellar showing right off the bat. Did you notice him screaming at the ball boys to rush him the towels with 'come on, come on' - late in the second set and early third?
With the prospect of this scenario repeating itself at virtually every Slam for at least one more year, if not more, how can Murray expect to win a Slam if his physical conditioning is this suspect. Imagine how ragged a doll he would have been if Del Potro had inserted his say into the equation.
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And can someone tell these people in the player's box that we know and can see that you started applauding AFTER the camera focused on your grill? How freaking shameless do you have to be to do that - repeatedly? Oh, you think we will never get it. Right.
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